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Global News
16-05-2025
- Business
- Global News
Alberta separation referendum would be ‘bad for the country': Calgary Chamber of Commerce
The head of a group representing Calgary's business community says a referendum on separation would inflict grave damage on the economies of Alberta and Canada — regardless of the result. 'Businesses are not interested whatsoever in uncertainty,' said Deborah Yedlin, president and chief executive of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. 'It's bad for Alberta, but not just Alberta. It's bad for the country.' The chamber joins a small but growing chorus of business and political leaders, who say the prospect of a referendum alone will lead companies to think twice before making investment decisions in Alberta. The advocacy group represents a large number of companies based in Canada's energy corporate capital, including several of Canada's largest oil and gas companies. Atco Ltd. CEO Nancy Southern says discussions around secession have led Asian partners to hold off on making a final investment decision on a hydrogen project until the separatism question is answered. Story continues below advertisement Southern said the discussion is 'unhelpful and not constructive to Alberta.' Yedlin said she suspects more executives will publicly address the issue as annual meetings continue through the spring. 'We need more Nancy Southerns to stand up and say something,' Yedlin said. The arguments being made for separation are fundamentally flawed, Yedlin added, pointing to a number of businesses and residents who fled Quebec in the late 1970s ahead of that province's 1980 referendum. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'When you have something like a referendum, Quebec is the poster child for what happened in Canada. We should not forget that lesson.' 6:25 Behind the scenes of the 1995 referendum The Alberta government is making it easier to put constitutional referendum questions on a ballot. Organizers would need about 177,000 signatures from registered voters, down from 600,000, which Premier Danielle Smith has said is prohibitively high. Story continues below advertisement Smith has said she doesn't endorse separating from Canada, but separatists should not be demonized for their frustration with Ottawa. She also has said the lack of an outlet for separatists to vent their frustrations could lead to the birth of a new party. The premier has not said whether she's concerned about the prospect of a referendum having a negative impact on Alberta's economy, saying she can't comment until a question reaches the ballot. Yedlin said there are fundamental issues with the arguments being made by separatist groups. 'From a business standpoint, none of this makes sense.' Alberta's big-city mayors have likewise raised concerns that a referendum on separatism – regardless of its result – would have negative economic implications. Story continues below advertisement Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said last week he has already heard from local businesses concerned that investment would flee if a referendum is held. Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who is set to run in a byelection in the rural Alberta riding of Battle River-Crowfoot, said he doesn't support separatism but understands Alberta's frustration with Ottawa.
CTV News
16-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Separation referendum would be ‘bad for the country': Calgary Chamber of Commerce
The head of a group representing Calgary's business community says a referendum on separation would inflict grave damage on the economies of Alberta and Canada — regardless of the result. 'Businesses are not interested whatsoever in uncertainty,' said Deborah Yedlin, president and chief executive of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. 'It's bad for Alberta, but not just Alberta. It's bad for the country.' The chamber joins a small but growing chorus of business and political leaders, who say the prospect of a referendum alone will lead companies to think twice before making investment decisions in Alberta. The advocacy group represents a large number of companies based in Canada's energy corporate capital, including several of Canada's largest oil and gas companies. Atco Ltd. CEO Nancy Southern says discussions around secession have led Asian partners to hold off on making a final investment decision on a hydrogen project until the separatism question is answered. Southern said the discussion is 'unhelpful and not constructive to Alberta.' Yedlin said she suspects more executives will publicly address the issue as annual meetings continue through the spring. 'We need more Nancy Southerns to stand up and say something,' Yedlin said. The arguments being made for separation are fundamentally flawed, Yedlin added, pointing to a number of businesses and residents who fled Quebec in the late 1970s ahead of that province's 1980 referendum. 'When you have something like a referendum, Quebec is the poster child for what happened in Canada. We should not forget that lesson.' The Alberta government is making it easier to put constitutional referendum questions on a ballot. Organizers would need about 177,000 signatures from registered voters, down from 600,000, which Premier Danielle Smith has said is prohibitively high. Smith has said she doesn't endorse separating from Canada, but separatists should not be demonized for their frustration with Ottawa. She also has said the lack of an outlet for separatists to vent their frustrations could lead to the birth of a new party. The premier has not said whether she's concerned about the prospect of a referendum having a negative impact on Alberta's economy, saying she can't comment until a question reaches the ballot. Yedlin said there are fundamental issues with the arguments being made by separatist groups. 'From a business standpoint, none of this makes sense.' Alberta's big-city mayors have likewise raised concerns that a referendum on separatism – regardless of its result – would have negative economic implications. Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said last week he has already heard from local businesses concerned that investment would flee if a referendum is held. Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who is set to run in a byelection in the rural Alberta riding of Battle River-Crowfoot, said he doesn't support separatism but understands Alberta's frustration with Ottawa. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 16, 2025. Matthew Scace, The Canadian Press
Winnipeg Free Press
16-05-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Separation referendum would be ‘bad for the country': Calgary Chamber of Commerce
CALGARY – The head of a group representing Calgary's business community says a referendum on separation would inflict grave damage on the economies of Alberta and Canada — regardless of the result. 'Businesses are not interested whatsoever in uncertainty,' said Deborah Yedlin, president and chief executive of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. 'It's bad for Alberta, but not just Alberta. It's bad for the country.' The chamber joins a small but growing chorus of business and political leaders, who say the prospect of a referendum alone will lead companies to think twice before making investment decisions in Alberta. The advocacy group represents a large number of companies based in Canada's energy corporate capital, including several of Canada's largest oil and gas companies. Atco Ltd. CEO Nancy Southern says discussions around secession have led Asian partners to hold off on making a final investment decision on a hydrogen project until the separatism question is answered. Southern said the discussion is 'unhelpful and not constructive to Alberta.' Yedlin said she suspects more executives will publicly address the issue as annual meetings continue through the spring. 'We need more Nancy Southerns to stand up and say something,' Yedlin said. The arguments being made for separation are fundamentally flawed, Yedlin added, pointing to a number of businesses and residents who fled Quebec in the late 1970s ahead of that province's 1980 referendum. 'When you have something like a referendum, Quebec is the poster child for what happened in Canada. We should not forget that lesson.' The Alberta government is making it easier to put constitutional referendum questions on a ballot. Organizers would need about 177,000 signatures from registered voters, down from 600,000, which Premier Danielle Smith has said is prohibitively high. Smith has said she doesn't endorse separating from Canada, but separatists should not be demonized for their frustration with Ottawa. She also has said the lack of an outlet for separatists to vent their frustrations could lead to the birth of a new party. The premier has not said whether she's concerned about the prospect of a referendum having a negative impact on Alberta's economy, saying she can't comment until a question reaches the ballot. Yedlin said there are fundamental issues with the arguments being made by separatist groups. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'From a business standpoint, none of this makes sense.' Alberta's big-city mayors have likewise raised concerns that a referendum on separatism – regardless of its result – would have negative economic implications. Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said last week he has already heard from local businesses concerned that investment would flee if a referendum is held. Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who is set to run in a byelection in the rural Alberta riding of Battle River-Crowfoot, said he doesn't support separatism but understands Alberta's frustration with Ottawa. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 16, 2025.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Separation referendum would be 'bad for the country': Calgary Chamber of Commerce
CALGARY — The head of a group representing Calgary's business community says a referendum on separation would inflict grave damage on the economies of Alberta and Canada — regardless of the result. 'Businesses are not interested whatsoever in uncertainty,' said Deborah Yedlin, president and chief executive of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. 'It's bad for Alberta, but not just Alberta. It's bad for the country.' The chamber joins a small but growing chorus of business and political leaders, who say the prospect of a referendum alone will lead companies to think twice before making investment decisions in Alberta. The advocacy group represents a large number of companies based in Canada's energy corporate capital, including several of Canada's largest oil and gas companies. Atco Ltd. CEO Nancy Southern says discussions around secession have led Asian partners to hold off on making a final investment decision on a hydrogen project until the separatism question is answered. Southern said the discussion is 'unhelpful and not constructive to Alberta.' Yedlin said she suspects more executives will publicly address the issue as annual meetings continue through the spring. 'We need more Nancy Southerns to stand up and say something,' Yedlin said. The arguments being made for separation are fundamentally flawed, Yedlin added, pointing to a number of businesses and residents who fled Quebec in the late 1970s ahead of that province's 1980 referendum. 'When you have something like a referendum, Quebec is the poster child for what happened in Canada. We should not forget that lesson.' The Alberta government is making it easier to put constitutional referendum questions on a ballot. Organizers would need about 177,000 signatures from registered voters, down from 600,000, which Premier Danielle Smith has said is prohibitively high. Smith has said she doesn't endorse separating from Canada, but separatists should not be demonized for their frustration with Ottawa. She also has said the lack of an outlet for separatists to vent their frustrations could lead to the birth of a new party. The premier has not said whether she's concerned about the prospect of a referendum having a negative impact on Alberta's economy, saying she can't comment until a question reaches the ballot. Yedlin said there are fundamental issues with the arguments being made by separatist groups. 'From a business standpoint, none of this makes sense.' Alberta's big-city mayors have likewise raised concerns that a referendum on separatism – regardless of its result – would have negative economic implications. Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said last week he has already heard from local businesses concerned that investment would flee if a referendum is held. Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who is set to run in a byelection in the rural Alberta riding of Battle River-Crowfoot, said he doesn't support separatism but understands Alberta's frustration with Ottawa. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 16, 2025. Matthew Scace, The Canadian Press
Toronto Star
15-05-2025
- Business
- Toronto Star
Alberta secession talk ‘unhelpful,' Atco chief executive says
CALGARY - The chief executive of Atco Ltd. says discussions around Alberta secession are already hurting the investment climate. Nancy Southern said Asian partners in a major hydrogen project have said they won't make final investment decisions unless there is certainty around the Alberta separatism question.
