Fact Check: Do Alberta separatists want to copy Quebec?
Quebec’s sovereignty battles also coincided with an exodus of corporate headquarters and English-speaking residents from Montreal. Political uncertainty contributed, but so did language legislation, taxation, regulation and a broader shift of Canada’s financial industry toward Toronto. It cannot all be attributed to separatism alone.
Former Alberta premier Jason Kenney attacked Alberta independence supporters by claiming they want to copy Quebec’s separatist politics and inherit Quebec’s economic outcomes.
“Really??? We want to go from being the richest province to the poorest large province?” Kenney wrote on X.
Sounds like the Alberta separatists who say "let's copy Quebec's separatist politics! It worked great for them!"
— Jason Kenney 🇨🇦🇺🇦🇮🇱 (@jkenney) September 2, 2026
Really??? We want to go from being the richest province to the poorest large province?
From "have" to "have not" status?
We think receiving $13 billion in… https://t.co/s8xkfatk7M
Alberta and Quebec also have fundamentally different economies. And, importantly, Quebec was receiving equalization before both of its sovereignty referendums. Quebec has received equalization payments every year since the program began in 1957.
Alberta is a major producer and exporter of oil, natural gas, petrochemicals, agriculture and other resources. Statistics Canada reported that Alberta’s economy grew by 3% in 2024 and again made an outsized contribution to national growth in 2025. Alberta also maintains comparatively high GDP and disposable income per person.
The federal government says Quebec will receive $13.9 billion in equalization during 2026–27, while Alberta will receive nothing..
In 2026, Alberta’s provincial rates begin at 8% and top out at 15%. Quebec’s begin at 14% and reach 25.75%, although Quebec residents receive a federal tax abatement that complicates direct comparisons.
Quebec’s sovereignty battles also coincided with an exodus of corporate headquarters and English-speaking residents from Montreal. Political uncertainty contributed, but so did language legislation, taxation, regulation and a broader shift of Canada’s financial industry toward Toronto. It cannot all be attributed to separatism alone.
Alberta separatists are not promising to turn Calgary into Montreal or Alberta into Quebec. They are arguing that Alberta should use its resources, wealth and distinct political culture to pursue a different constitutional and economic future.
Kenney is criticizing a Quebec model that Alberta independence supporters are not proposing.
Sheila Gunn Reid
Chief Reporter
Sheila Gunn Reid is the Editor-in-Chief, Alberta Bureau Chief, member of the board of directors, and host of The Gunn Show at Rebel News. Sheila also serves as President of the Independent Press Gallery of Canada. A mother of three and longtime conservative activist, Sheila is the author of bestselling books, including her most recent release, Independence Blueprint: What Alberta Can Learn From Quebec.
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