Why Alberta Should Separate From Canada And Why All Canadians Should Support Separation
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Alberta’s potential as an independent nation rests on tangible economic and political advantages. Unlike emotional appeals, the case for Alberta sovereignty centers on practical benefits: more control over its wealth and resources, fairer representation, and governance tailored to local needs. Below, we outline key reasons a go-it-alone Alberta could thrive, and why a weaker Ottawa might even be a net positive given the inefficiencies of centralized power.
Economic Benefits for Alberta
Retaining Alberta’s Wealth: Alberta has long been a net contributor to federal finances. Since the 1960s, Albertans have paid hundreds of billions more in federal taxes than the province has received in spending. In 2019 alone Alberta’s net outflow to the rest of Canada was nearly $20 billion. As an independent country, these billions could be kept at home, bolstering Alberta’s own budget and services instead of subsidizing other regions. For individual Albertans, this could mean substantial tax savings or reinvestment in local priorities rather than seeing approximately $3,000+ per person annually flow out under the current system.
Alberta, with a 2023 GDP of approximately $356.8 billion (CAD) would also rank about 44th globally by GDP, slightly ahead of countries like Finland, Portugal, and New Zealand in terms of total economic output.
Natural Resource Control: Alberta’s economy is fueled by its vast oil and gas reserves, which drive prosperity. The province accounts for an outsized share of Canada’s energy production – about 84% of the nation’s crude oil and 61% of its natural gas. It also enjoys the highest GDP per capita among provinces. Independence would give Alberta full sovereignty over these resources, from development to export. Free from federal policies that currently limit development (such as Ottawa’s carbon taxes or pipeline bans), Alberta could enact its own regulatory regime. This means faster approval of energy projects and infrastructure, and the ability to strike international deals to export its oil and gas unimpeded by federal constraints.
Regulatory and Fiscal Freedom: Outside Confederation, Alberta could redesign policies to better suit its economy – whether setting its own carbon strategy, tailoring environmental assessments to local needs, or adjusting royalties and taxes to stay competitive. It could also choose to create its own Alberta Pension Plan or other financial programs, aligning with local demographics and needs. In fact, proposals like the Free Alberta Strategy have already called for steps in this direction, including establishing a provincial pension plan and even a provincial police force to replace the RCMP. Such moves, currently difficult within Canada, would be standard tools of governance for an independent Alberta. The result would be more direct control over economic levers – from financial regulation to labour and immigration policy – allowing Alberta to prioritize growth and competitiveness in ways Ottawa might not. For example, Alberta could set its own immigration quotas and criteria to attract skilled workers needed in energy and tech, without being limited by federal caps. It could also pursue trade agreements that benefit its key industries (like oil, agriculture, and mining) – potentially joining or negotiating into trade blocs on its own terms.
Political Autonomy and Fair Representation
Greater Democratic Voice: Within Canada, Alberta’s influence is diluted. The province makes up roughly 12% of Canada’s population yet holds only about 10% of the seats in the House of Commons (and an even smaller share in the Senate). This imbalance often leaves Alberta feeling unheard in national policy. Indeed, in Canada’s unelected Senate, Alberta (together with British Columbia) represents 25% of the population but a mere 11.4% of Senate seats – a stark under-representation. Independence would give Albertans a government where their voice is proportional and decisive. Rather than 34 out of 338 MPs in Ottawa, Albertans would elect 100% of the lawmakers in an Alberta parliament. Policies and laws would reflect the province’s own electorate, without being overruled by distant federal majorities.
Policy Alignment with Local Priorities: Alberta’s political culture and needs often diverge from those of Central Canada. Many Albertans are frustrated by federal interference in provincial matters – for example, federal environmental legislation that cancels pipelines or mandates certain energy policies seen as hostile to Alberta’s interests. In recent years, Ottawa “blocked pipelines, canceled multiple oil and gas projects, and introduced a carbon tax”, measures Alberta’s leaders describe as “anti-energy… policies” that hurt the provincial economy. As a sovereign nation, Alberta could pursue policies consistent with the values of its citizens and the requirements of its industries, without Ottawa’s one-size-fits-all mandates. Provincial leaders have signaled they want the freedom to “develop and export that incredible wealth of resources we have” for the benefit of Alberta’s families. Full independence would secure that freedom. Alberta could also craft legislation on issues like agriculture, education, or firearms that better reflect local preferences, which often lean more libertarian or conservative than federal norms.
Sovereignty in Trade and Immigration: Separation would allow Alberta to engage the world on its own terms. The province could negotiate trade agreements to guarantee market access for its exports – for instance, ensuring energy pipelines or transport corridors to tidewater. (Premier Danielle Smith has already insisted on protected energy corridors to global markets as a condition of staying in Canada.) Internationally, Alberta could join trade pacts or organizations that best serve its interests, rather than being bound by deals struck for Canada as a whole. Similarly, Alberta could design an immigration system to address its specific demographic and labour market needs. Whether that means attracting more skilled trades for the oil patch, tech professionals for Calgary’s growing sector, or entrepreneurs, an Alberta-run immigration policy could be more agile and targeted than the current federal program.
A Leaner, More Efficient Government
An often overlooked benefit of Alberta’s independence is the creative destruction it would impose on Canadian federalism. The Canadian federal government would undeniably be weaker without Alberta – losing a significant portion of its revenue base and economic heft. Alberta represents roughly 15% of Canada’s GDP and an even higher share of federal tax contributions. If Alberta exits, Ottawa would have to downsize or prioritize, potentially resulting in a leaner central government. For those who view Ottawa as inefficient or overreaching, this is a feature, not a bug. In fact, economic research suggests that decentralizing power can improve efficiency and responsiveness by bringing decisions closer to the people. A smaller Canadian government, refocused on its remaining constituents, might spend more prudently and interfere less in regional affairs – a win-win scenario for proponents of limited government. Meanwhile, Alberta would enjoy full sovereignty to make decisions quickly at the local level, free from the bureaucratic delays of intergovernmental negotiations.
In summary, an independent Alberta could harness its tremendous economic strengths – from oil wealth to human capital – and govern in a way that aligns with local values and needs. The province would keep more of its money, set policies that fuel growth, and ensure its citizens’ voices aren’t muted by distant political dynamics. At the same time, a diminished federal establishment in Ottawa might become more efficient and less intrusive across what remains of Canada, validating the argument that smaller, closer-to-home governments often serve people better. While separation is a complex and serious step, the pragmatic case for Alberta’s independence highlights clear economic gains and political freedoms that many believe would allow Alberta to flourish on the world stage.
References
Trevor Tombe, The Hub – “Alberta’s $600-billion federal contribution” (Analysis of Alberta’s net contributions to Confederation).
Chad de Guzman, TIME – “What to Know About Alberta’s Potential Separation” (Alberta’s economic profile: oil/gas production and GDP per capita).
Gary W. O’Brien, Policy Options (IRPP) – “Western under-representation in the Senate” (Alberta & BC population vs. Senate seats).
The Economic Times – “Free Alberta Strategy fuels separatism” (Alberta’s plans for autonomy: provincial police, pension, and resisting federal interference in resource policy).
William Dillinger & Marianne Fay, IMF – Finance & Development – “From Centralized to Decentralized Governance” (Decentralization can improve government efficiency).