Business leaders in Alberta are expressing relief following a decisive vote for the province to remain in Canada. The referendum, held on Monday, saw 75.5% of the 1.8 million votes counted so far supporting continued membership in the country. Deborah Yedlin, president and CEO of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, called the outcome a 'huge relief,' emphasizing that it establishes certainty for investors and benefits the broader Canadian economy.
The vote addressed 10 questions, with one focusing on whether Alberta should remain in Canada or pursue a binding referendum on separation. Economic challenges, including the 2014 oil price crash, had fueled separatist sentiments, with some arguing that independence could maximize benefits from Alberta's energy sector without equalization payments to other provinces.
However, many business leaders had warned against separation, citing potential economic uncertainty. A poll by the Calgary Chamber of Commerce found that nearly half of its members were prepared to relocate their businesses if Alberta moved toward separation. Additionally, 60% of respondents in the same poll said separatism was already negatively impacting their operations.
Avik Dey, CEO of Capital Power, noted that the separation question had created anxiety among investors outside the province. With the vote now resolved, Dey expects that anxiety to dissipate. Candace Laing, president and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, acknowledged the concerns of separatists but stressed the importance of building a united economy that addresses the needs of all regions.