Alberta independence plan unveiled as report warns of $200B+ cost
Author: Alex Dhaliwal
Alberta separatists have unveiled a 214-page blueprint for life after Canada — but a new analysis warns independence could leave the province facing a staggering $200-billion-plus bill.
An Alberta independence group has unveiled a sweeping blueprint for life after Canada, as a new analysis estimates separation could cost more than $200 billion.
The Alberta Transition Council released a 214-page transition plan outlining how an independent Alberta could handle everything from currency and banking to defence, policing, immigration, pensions, trade and oil and gas.
Lawyer Keith Wilson, who spearheaded the report, said Alberta already has much of the infrastructure needed for independence.
“We’re not starting from scratch,” Wilson said. “The people, the resources, the skills, the organizational structures are already in place.”
“We’re simply changing the top of the organization. Instead of having their ultimate boss be in Ottawa, their ultimate boss would be in Edmonton or Calgary.”
The plan would temporarily mirror Canada’s immigration system, with Alberta sheriffs enforcing immigration decisions and potentially recruiting federal border and immigration workers.
The council also argues Canada could not automatically strip Albertans of their Canadian citizenship or passports following independence, while acknowledging Parliament could change Canadian citizenship laws.
The council also argues Albertans could keep their Canadian citizenship and passports after independence, unless Parliament changed the law.