‘Underneath the careful wording of Alberta’s referendum question on separation is a much larger question: to be, or not to be, Canadian. That is the question.’

With those words, the Canada West Foundation introduces its special report on a range of topics related to Alberta’s October 19 referendum on separation. Titled Alberta in Confederation – The Economic, Trade and Constitutional Realities of Separation, the report includes papers and analysis by nine authors covering a range of topics from Alberta’s place in confederation, constitutional implications of separation, Indigenous rights and treaty relationships, Alberta’s economic and fiscal position, trade policies and interprovincial and international transportation, and the impact of uncertainty on investors’ decisions.

Drawing on comparisons with Brexit in the UK and Quebec’s experience with its own separation vote, the report highlights the lesson we should take from both of those experiences. In their words, “The lesson is not that Alberta should reach the same conclusion as voters elsewhere. It is that voters deserve to understand the risks and consequences before making a decision that may be difficult, costly or impossible to reverse.” At Before You Vote, we heartily agree.

The significance of Alberta’s vote on October 19 is highlighted in the introduction to the report by Gary Mar, President and CEO of the Canada West Foundation.

“Albertans deserve to understand the grievances that have brought us to this point. They also deserve to understand the opportunities, responsibilities, risks and uncertainties that would follow from any change in Alberta’s constitutional status.

Most of all, they deserve to make their decision with their eyes open, knowing what we know, recognizing what can reasonably be estimated, acknowledging what remains uncertain and understanding what would still have to be negotiated.

The question before Albertans is consequential for more than one generation. It concerns the country their parents and grandparents helped build, the province they have inherited and the future they leave to their children.”

You can find the full special report from the Canada West Foundation here, and we encourage you to read it.