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Alberta’s separation debate has mostly played out in the political realm, but business leaders are now weighing in – quietly, without any speeches from a podium.
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As the province approaches an October vote on whether it should hold a future binding referendum, few executives have publicly shared their views on the separatist movement, even as the issue has moved further into mainstream conversations.
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Business associations like the Calgary Chamber, meanwhile, have been more vocal, arguing that talk of separation alone is chilling investment at a time when Alberta is seeking to attract capital to build a possible new oil pipeline and new data centres.
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Now we have the clearest sense yet of how business leaders are thinking about the separatist movement and the effects it might have on the economy.
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Check out our latest video for some analysis on polling data that suggests many business leaders are worried about the economic effects of separation.
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Investment, hiring, expansion plans and major spending decisions can all be influenced by uncertainty. A long political fight can cause companies to pause, wait for clarity and rethink where they’re putting money next.
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All that risk comes as Alberta and Ottawa have been trying to repair their relationship through an energy agreement and renewed discussion around major projects. So it’s clear the debate carries echoes of other political fights over sovereignty and trade, but Alberta isn’t at the same point as Quebec was during its referendum debates, or Britain when it left the European Union. Those examples just show how uncertainty itself can become part of the economic story.
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The province may still be a long way from separation, but the business warning is already taking shape: political uncertainty does not need a final outcome to create economic risk.
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