Tim Sargent discusses Economic and Fiscal Implications of Alberta Separation report with Forum audience

Any scenario for Alberta leaving Canada includes significant risks and the Project Director for the report on Economic and Fiscal Implications of Alberta Separation says Albertans need assess their tolerance for that uncertainty. 

Tim Sargent, Director of the Economic Growth & Prosperity area of focus for the School of Public Policy, made the comment during a presentation to more than 100 people at a Forum event at the School this week. 

“How Albertans will vote is up to them,” Sargent said. “Our report helps them understand all the dimensions with this issue and understand the potential upsides and the downsides. I think one thing that will matter to a lot of people is risk and how much risk people are willing to take on.” 

The report released earlier this month does not provide guidance to Albertans on how they should vote. The School’s mandate from the Government of Alberta was to help people to better understand the potential economic and fiscal implications, along with the risks and opportunities, that could accompany Alberta separation.

The report puts forward scenarios, ranges, and benchmarks for consideration but all of them involved potential economic and fiscal risks.

“A separate Alberta will be even more dependent on the oil and gas sector than it is today and more dependent the United States as a market,” said Sargent.

Sargent reiterated that it was an incredible opportunity for the School and the University of Calgary to play a critical role in informing Albertans, and Canadians, on one of the most important policy discussions in the history of the province and country.

Forum is a noon-hour lecture series hosted by the School throughout the year for students and the public.