Skip to Content News Archives Economy Energy Oil & Gas Renewables Electric Vehicles Mining Commodities Agriculture Real Estate Mortgages Mortgage Rates Finance Banking Insurance Fintech Cryptocurrency Work Wealth Smart Money Wealth Management Investor Personal Finance Family Finance Retirement Taxes High Net Worth FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials More Innovation Information Technology FP500 Podcasts Small Business Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Financial Post Store Obituaries Place a Notice Advertising Advertising With Us Advertising Solutions Postmedia Ad Manager Sponsorship Requests Classifieds Place a Classifieds ad Working Profile Settings My Subscriptions Saved Articles My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ News Economy Energy Mining Real Estate Finance Work Wealth Investor FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials HomeNewsEconomyAlberta businesses weigh in on independence talkAs an October vote approaches, new survey data offers a clear look at how business leaders are weighing the risks You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.Stay Free Alberta, delivered the signature documentation to Elections Alberta headquarters in Edmonton on May 4, 2026. Photo by Shaughn Butts - PostmediaAlberta’s separation debate has mostly played out in the political realm, but business leaders are now weighing in – quietly, without any speeches from a podium.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorAs the province approaches an October vote on whether it should hold a future binding referendum, few executives have publicly shared their views on the separatist movement, even as the issue has moved further into mainstream conversations.Business associations like the Calgary Chamber, meanwhile, have been more vocal, arguing that talk of separation alone is chilling investment at a time when Alberta is seeking to attract capital to build a possible new oil pipeline and new data centres.SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE: FP West: Energy Insider brings you behind the oilpatch’s closed doors with exclusive insights from insiders every Wednesday morning.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of FP West: Energy Insider will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againNow we have the clearest sense yet of how business leaders are thinking about the separatist movement and the effects it might have on the economy.Check out our latest video for some analysis on polling data that suggests many business leaders are worried about the economic effects of separation.Investment, hiring, expansion plans and major spending decisions can all be influenced by uncertainty. A long political fight can cause companies to pause, wait for clarity and rethink where they’re putting money next.All that risk comes as Alberta and Ottawa have been trying to repair their relationship through an energy agreement and renewed discussion around major projects. So it’s clear the debate carries echoes of other political fights over sovereignty and trade, but Alberta isn’t at the same point as Quebec was during its referendum debates, or Britain when it left the European Union. Those examples just show how uncertainty itself can become part of the economic story.The province may still be a long way from separation, but the business warning is already taking shape: political uncertainty does not need a final outcome to create economic risk. Join the Conversation This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.