Airdrie-Cochrane MLA Peter Guthrie has weighed in on the topic of Alberta separation as Premier Danielle Smith announced this week that she's open to having a separation referendum on the ballot in 2026.
While Smith has said she doesn't support separating Alberta from the rest of Canada, she noted Albertans have genuine grievances with the federal government and wants concessions from Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney.
If a petition manages to get the required number of signatures, Smith said she would "accept Albertan's judgment."
Guthrie, who has been critical of Smith's leadership in the wake of allegations regarding the United Conservative Party (UCP) government pressuring Alberta Health Services to accept exorbitant contracts, told Airdrie City View separation risks further division and economic instability.
“Albertans now know Premier Smith intended to use the federal election as a platform to push her own agenda, the threat of a separation vote," Guthrie said. "Immediately following Carney’s victory, she introduced legislation designed to hold such a vote—coinciding with the launch of a petition by advocates pursuing the same objective."
Guthrie gave up his ministerial position in February, with his pushback against the UCP leading the caucus to suspend and then ultimately expel him in early April.
Since that time, especially given the federal election, talk of western alienation and separatism have increased - with the leader of the sovereignist Parti Québécois applauding Smith's referendum acknowledgement.
"The issue with this move - a lack of foresight," Guthrie assured. "It risks triggering economic instability. Markets thrive on certainty, and these sorts of political shenanigans send the opposite signal. As a result, Alberta, as Canada’s economic engine, could see its economy stall, with investment drying up, unemployment climbing, and businesses delaying projects."
Guthrie said that this would create an environment, in which Albertans could experience a further fracturing of political stability, fuelling division and potential social unrest.
Experts also gave their two cents, with law professors noting that a vote to sever ties with Canada would pitch the country into unexplored territory on everything from money to First Nations and national parks. Several First Nations chiefs criticized Smith for "stoking a unity crisis" in an open letter.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford also stoked the fire by saying, "This is a time to unite the country, not people saying, 'Oh, I'm leaving the country'," which prompted a response from Smith commenting, "I don't tell him how he should run his province."
Guthrie, who now sits as an independent, said Alberta must at least attempt to alter confederation in a way that strengthens everyone.
"A confederation where the West no longer compromises to the whims of the east," he explained. "After a decade of failed, divisive Liberal policies, we owe it to the next generation to use Alberta intelligence, wisdom, and the tools available to achieve a stronger Alberta."
While there are no immediate plans for a petition, the mere mention of it by Smith has brought about reactions from both supporters and critics.
Hundreds of people rallied at the Alberta legislature to support separation on Saturday, May 3, with many calling for it to join the U.S. and become the 51st state.
"We need to clean our own room first, fiscally, to have the strength to clean the entire house," Guthrie said. "Alberta can lead Confederation to save Canada from itself, not by tearing ourselves down to spite them."
