Latest news with #DeborahYedlin
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
CBC
16-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Alberta separation movement knocked by business groups, analyst
Deborah Yedlin gets that some folks in Alberta are not thrilled with yet another federal Liberal government, but she says the separation movement the premier is flirting with could seriously hurt the province and the country. "When there is uncertainty, money sits on the sidelines or companies leave or labour leaves," Yedlin, the Calgary Chamber president and CEO, told the Calgary Eyeopener in a Thursday interview. "What does that do? Your tax base shrinks. You don't have that corporate tax base or personal income taxes. It's not where anybody wants to go." Yedlin is in Ottawa making Alberta's economic case to a new federal cabinet. She likes what she sees so far. "This is a different government, a different cabinet with a different focus," she said. "Individuals who were not supportive of the energy sector are not going to have the same voice that they may have had in previous iterations in government. That view is going to be directed differently and pragmatically." But the anger of some Albertans is understandable, says the president of the Business Council of Alberta. "I think it's important not to dismiss the concerns and frustrations of Alberta," Adam Legge told CBC News in an interview. He said his members, on balance, don't support leaving Canada. "Obviously, the separatist option is the nuclear one, on the very end of the scale, that I hope we never achieve because we believe Alberta's place is in the federation, is in Canada." A political scientist says, however, sometimes Alberta can make that hard. "Some of the demands [Alberta Premier] Danielle Smith has made of the federal government are beyond the federal government's capacity to provide," said Lori Williams of Mount Royal University. "If you want to build pipelines, you need the support of not just leaders but of the people they represent. Taking a demanding, entitled approach to negotiations is less likely to generate the support needed for Alberta to get things like pipelines built. We have to work with other parts of Canada as well as the federal government." And then there are those thorny conversations around equalization, and all the confusion that percolates around that. "There's an assumption that Alberta is giving more to Canada than it's getting back," Williams said. "When you put all the federal transfers together, not just equalization, things like fiscal stabilization, health transfers, social service transfers, education transfers — the numbers don't look as even as they otherwise would. The per capita money coming into Alberta is on par with the per capita money going into other provinces." That would change, however, if Alberta were to chart its own path. "It would have to assume a share of the national debt and pay the full cost of all of the services being supported by federal money." Yedlin, meanwhile, is focusing on sunny days ahead. "We have tremendous opportunity now," she said. "We have, from what I am hearing, a government, and the messages are pretty clear, a government that really wants to harness the economic potential of this country. What's the downside of doing that? There is no downside." Legge isn't mincing words about secession. "The consequences will be significant, the costs will be significant. It doesn't solve a lot of the problems and concerns we have. Separating from Canada doesn't make a pipeline any easier, faster, or cheaper. Let's find ways to know how we can defend our interests," he said. "I absolutely believe there are companies reconsidering investment in Alberta in this time of separatist conversation." But for Williams, it's a matter of looking at the bigger picture. "I think many Albertans would be less supportive of separation once they started looking at those sorts of things," she said. "I think there are people who are angry and that's being fuelled online and by some leaders. They assume that talk of separation will yield some kind of concessions from others, and I just don't know if that's a safe assumption."
