Say What?

The potential of an Alberta separation from Canada in the October, 2027  provincial election have come to the attention of federal agencies and the private sector. Many of them provide services to Albertans now and for extended years. Changes will most certainly happen, some of them of great significance.

As such, information is forthcoming that provides background so that voters in Alberta will be able to make informed decisions.

There are many interested parties. Several are now undertaking to provide information to the provincial agencies and to the private sector that will need some insights ahead of separation.

Following are examples:

The National Hockey League with a message from the Chief Executive are pointing out they operate in two countries only; Canada and the United States. Expanding internationally poses significant issues that will need resolution prior to the participation of two teams in a third country. If they remain unsolved then the franchises will be relocated out of Alberta.

A somewhat similar situation surrounds the Canadian Football League. Province based, a franchise outside of Canada are unlikely participants.

Personal and business taxation are federal issues. Under certain circumstances the Canadian Revenue Agency deals with many issues that are complicated, long standing, and expensive. Excellence on all sides is required and difficult to obtain.

Several sport’s organizations have indicated their concern about the attraction that a new country will have in drawing major events. The winter and summer Olympics are good examples.

Universities in Canada are in receipt of federal funds in support of a wide variety of research projects. Applications are forthcoming from university based researchers who are well qualified and positioned to provide excellent results. The program is for Canadian based educational institutions.

National transportation providers such as Canadian Pacific and Canadian National railways conduct operations in conjunction with provincial agencies on issues of safety and maintenance.

Canada is officially a bilingual country. An issue worthy of consideration is food products are now marketed with labelling in both French and English. Will a new country created out of Alberta maintain bilingual policies?

The same can be asked when considering the metric system of measurements. The United States never did adopt meters over yards or liters over quarts.

Dividing Alberta from Canada presents Lloydminster with a specific issue.

Water management as in rivers and lakes are the shared responsibility of provincial, federal, territorial and in some cases Indigenous agencies. This further complicates a separation.

While these issues represent somewhat lower barriers compared to defence, trade and commerce, citizenship and so on, it will be very sad if Canada cannot compete for the Stanley Cup.