Separatism is already chilling Edmonton's investment, Chamber warns
Business leaders say companies are delaying deals and holding money due to uncertainty around Alberta independence referendum.
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Edmonton's business community is warning that talk of separatism is already damaging the province's economy — and the chamber is urging Albertans to put the issue to bed fast.
Doug Griffiths, a former Conservative provincial cabinet minister and current CEO of Edmonton Chamber of Commerce, returned from Ottawa this week with a stark message. After meetings with federal cabinet, legislators, and senators focused on Edmonton's infrastructure potential, the first thing many asked about was the referendum and separation.
"When the first question is, 'Are you guys going to separate?' it's now dominating the conversation," Griffiths said, "and that's a distraction from the real issues around infrastructure investment, business growth." The chamber is concerned the uncertainty is already tangible — businesses are making real economic decisions based on it.
Griffiths spoke with business owners who've altered or delayed investment plans. Some are considering investing elsewhere. Others are simply holding money to see how things unfold. Even leadership at Atco has said industry is making significant decisions now and into the future because of the separation discussion.
The impact mirrors what happened with Trump's tariff uncertainty — companies freezing decisions, not investing, caught in the chaos. "The biggest consequence in Alberta right now is people putting money back into their pockets and businesses holding on to see what's going to unfold," Griffiths said. No one he's spoken to sees separation as an economic opportunity.
The chamber is calling for unity and wants Prime Minister Mark Carney to visit Edmonton to deliver a state-of-the-nation address — a signal that Western Canada is engaged in Canada's future, not fractured by secession fever. Other Alberta chambers share the concern, Griffiths said.
What worried him most: complacency. If optimistic Albertans assume things will work out and don't vote, while committed separatists turn out in force, the outcome could surprise everyone — the Brexit playbook all over again.