Dinning and Toews: Separation would be 'reckless' and 'self-defeating'

Alberta has always played a significant role in Canada’s economy. Even before becoming an energy powerhouse, fur trading, agriculture and ranching contributed to our nation’s prosperity. We have a long history of contributing more than our fair share because of our resource-rich province and the independent, hard-working, risk-taking folks that call Alberta home.

When Alberta grows, Canada grows. We experienced that firsthand as finance ministers.

So, when the Trudeau–Guilbeault government took a wrecking ball to Canada’s resource economy, Albertans didn’t stay quiet. We sounded the alarm because we knew exactly what was at stake: jobs, investment, competitiveness and the prosperity of Canadian families. While allied nations were asking Canada to help secure their energy needs, Ottawa was tying Alberta’s hands behind its back. And when capital fled the country, Albertans were stunned by the complacency elsewhere. The math wasn’t complicated: if Alberta is forced to shrink, Canada will shrink with it.

However, something has changed. Maybe Canadians finally looked at the data or became more serious because of Trump. Maybe they simply felt the squeeze of getting poorer. Whatever the reason, folks across the country are now saying what Albertans have been saying since 2015.

Polling in every province shows overwhelming support for pipelines and responsible energy development. That shift has given Ottawa the political cover to unwind the most damaging policies of the last decade: the emissions cap, the heavy‑handed electricity and methane rules, and the “No More Pipelines” bill.

And the change isn’t theoretical. Pipelines and most energy projects will now be exempt from the Federal Impact Assessment Act. On Oct. 1, the Pacific Link pipeline became the first project listed under the Building Canada Act. And Premier Doug Ford stood in Calgary and committed public funding to a new northern shield pipeline.

Canada is finally moving in the right direction: toward growth, competitiveness, and energy leadership.

And it’s at this moment that Albertans are being asked whether to separate or stay in Canada.

Let’s be clear: a separation negotiation would be disruptive, destabilizing and economically damaging. Recent analyses from the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy, the Canada West Foundation, and the Calgary Chamber of Commerce show that the one‑time and ongoing costs of independence range from staggering to prohibitive. The uncertainty around labour mobility, market access, pipeline rights and First Nations relationships would undermine investment, GDP and the future prosperity of every Albertan.

To throw Alberta into a years‑long constitutional fight, to inject the uncertainty, division and misplaced energy of an independence negotiation at a time when we are finally positioned for meaningful growth and opportunity would be economically reckless and strategically self‑defeating.

Alberta’s leadership has been key in righting Canada’s economic and energy policy, and it can play an outsized role in strengthening the nation going forward. Whether it’s positioning Canada as an energy superpower or the broader economy for market-driven global competitiveness, Alberta’s best future will be found in a united Canada.

Oct. 19 will be a pivotal day in our province’s history. As two former Alberta finance ministers who have lived the numbers, the consequences, and the opportunities, we strongly urge Albertans to cast their vote … and vote to stay.

Former government ministers Jim Dinning and Travis Toews are writing as private citizens.