Arguments Against Alberta Separation Debunked
Alberta vs. Canada: Why Separation Isn’t the Apocalypse
The two most common arguments I hear against Alberta separation are “waaaah” and “f##k y##.” They make a strong case. Other arguments do not hold up as well.
1. Trade Disruption & Market Access
The doomsayers claim Alberta will lose access to markets and trade will collapse. Aaaannnt! Alberta sells oil, gas, beef, and grain that the rest of Canada (and the U.S.) need. Nobody’s going to cut off a critical supplier out of spite. Trade agreements can be renegotiated, and money talks. Alberta could join USMCA or cut bilateral deals faster than you can say “pipeline.”
2. Currency and Central Bank
Alberta will be using Monopoly dollars? Countries use foreign currencies all the time—Ecuador uses the U.S. dollar and nobody’s crying for them. Alberta could just keep using CAD or switch to USD, no need to invent the “Alberloon.” Ottawa’s monetary policy has never considered Alberta’s point of view. Independence means they get to set our own rules.
3. Debt & Credit Rating
“Alberta will drown in debt! The credit rating will tank!” Alberta has relatively low debt and a mountain of natural resources. They could negotiate a fair share of federal debt (or less, based on what they paid in). Bond yields might spike at first but stable governance and oil-backed revenue tend to calm the markets.
Being tied to Canada isn’t a benefit to Alberta - it’s a liability. If (or when) Alberta separates investment will absolutely soar.
4. Military and Security
“What if Saskatchewan invades?” Canada faces no real military threats, and Alberta doesn’t need to build a full-blown army overnight. It’s not 1812 anymore.
5. Legal and Constitutional Chaos
“Secession is illegal! The courts will explode!” Actually, the Clarity Act lays out a process, and Quebec already set the precedent. A clear referendum result puts real pressure on Ottawa to negotiate. Other countries have split up peacefully—see Czech Republic and Slovakia.
6. Pipeline and Infrastructure Challenges
“Pipelines will be blocked! Alberta will be landlocked forever!” Alberta has massive leverage here. Their energy wealth is needed, and BC or the U.S. can be offered revenue-sharing or jobs. The U.S. Midwest and Gulf Coast want oil.
7. Economic Diversification and Investment Risk
Political instability would be temporary. Investors go where the profit is, and Alberta has resources, space, and a skilled workforce. Independence means setting their own taxes and regulations—hello, pro-business paradise, goodbye Liberal job-killing policies.
8. Citizenship and Mobility
“You’ll need a passport to visit grandma in Vancouver!” Dual citizenship agreements are common (see Ireland/UK). Alberta and Canada could and likely would negotiate mutual residency rights.
But What About Brexit? Isn’t This Just Brexit 2.0?
People love to bring up Brexit, like it’s some kind of cautionary tale. But Alberta isn’t the UK, and Canada isn’t the EU. The EU wanted to make Brexit painful—to scare off other quitters. The EU isn’t much of a “democracy” is it? If it was they would have respected the will of the English people.
Brexit was a media circus, all drama and brinkmanship. Alberta’s separation could be handled like adults—if there’s a clear democratic mandate, negotiations can be pragmatic. The Clarity Act even says so.
Bottom line: Brexit was a warning about how bad-faith actors can sour a separation. But Alberta’s situation is different—less about ideology, more about economics, and a lot more practical.
So, next time someone tells you Alberta can’t survive on its own, ask them to be specific. Because when you look past the “waaaah” and the “f##k y##,” the arguments against separation start to look pretty thin.
Also checkout Alberta is in an Abusive Relationship and should Leave
