Breakaway Bill: Alberta Separation Would Cripple Economy

The Alberta separatist movement has been touting a potentially clean and easy process for secession from Canada, but experts warn that the reality would be far more complicated and costly.

A report commissioned by the Alberta government, overseen by economist Jack Mintz, estimates that separation would entail significant short-term costs of between $50 billion to $170 billion in the first five years. The economic impact of such upheaval would come on top of this fiscal burden.

The scenario assumes two possible paths: a 'smooth' option with a quicker and more favorable accommodation, and a 'difficult' option with a drawn-out and complicated process. Both options agree that the fallout would extend beyond Alberta's borders, causing harm to Canada's economy as well.