Canada Must Renew Its Relationship with Alberta Amid Separatist Vote Uncertainty

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is calling for Canada to renew its relationship with Alberta in light of the upcoming separatist vote on October 19. The province will decide whether to hold a formal referendum on negotiating an exit from Canada, which would add another layer of uncertainty for businesses. Business leaders Candace Laing and Shauna Feth argue that this process is drawn-out and all-consuming, making it difficult for businesses to operate with confidence.

The chamber's research shows that business confidence has been down from usual levels for seven consecutive quarters and at best flatlining. In Alberta, over four in ten businesses say political uncertainty is already affecting their operations. The two leaders emphasize the importance of certainty for businesses, especially after a year of painful trade disruption and economic competitiveness challenges across Canada.

Laing and Feth stress that Alberta's contribution to Canada's economy cannot be overstated, with one out of every six dollars generated in the Canadian economy coming from the province. They argue that the federal government must show that project greenlight timelines will not take so long that profit projections are abandoned before they're started.

The authors conclude that the strongest business partnerships endure because both sides continue investing in them, and Alberta is asking for nothing more than a fair shake. They urge the federal government to focus on trust levels improving for all who have lost faith in the federation.