Calgary Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Deborah Yedlin says Alberta risks scoring on its own net if Albertans vote to begin the process that could eventually lead to separation.

Speaking as the Chamber released an economic analysis by University of Calgary economist Trevor Tombe, Yedlin argued that separation would jeopardize what she called the “Alberta advantage” of low taxes and comparatively strong public services.

“I grew up with this notion of the Alberta advantage — no sales tax, low taxes, good education, health care, social services,” Yedlin said. “All of that would disappear, and we would not be able to sustain that level of support for Albertans.” 

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That is an argument about the possible consequences of independence, however. It is not what Albertans are deciding on October 19.

The actual Question 10 asks Albertans whether Alberta should remain a province or whether the provincial government should “commence the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding provincial referendum” on separation.

Elections Alberta explicitly says the October 19 result is non-binding. An Option 2 victory therefore does not make Alberta independent. It begins a process toward another referendum at which Albertans would make that decision.