This morning, Airdrie-Cochrane MLA Peter Guthrie issued the following statement regarding the threat of a separation vote:
"Albertans now know that Premier Smith intended to use the federal election as a platform to push her own agenda—the threat of a separation vote. Immediately following Carney’s victory, she introduced legislation designed to enable such a vote, coinciding with the launch of a petition by advocates pursuing the same objective.
The issue with this move is a lack of foresight. It risks triggering economic instability. Markets thrive on certainty, and these kinds of political shenanigans send the opposite signal. As a result, Alberta—Canada’s economic engine—could see its economy stall, with investment drying up, unemployment climbing, and businesses delaying projects. This creates an environment in which political stability may further erode, fueling division and potential social unrest.
Alberta must, at the very least, attempt to reshape Confederation in a way that strengthens all Canadians—a Confederation where the West no longer compromises to the whims of the East. After a decade of failed, divisive Liberal policies, we owe it to the next generation to use Alberta's intelligence, wisdom, and the tools available to us to build a stronger province.
We need to clean our own room first—fiscally—if we hope to have the strength to help clean the entire house.
Alberta can lead Confederation and help save Canada from itself—not by tearing ourselves down to spite them."