Alberta Separation:A Financial Risk We Can’t Afford… 

On August 18, your union hosted a virtual general membership meeting to learn more about the upcoming provincial referendum.

Dr. Keith Brownsey – a retired political scientist from MRU – joined General Counsel and Director of Policy and Analysis, Mark Wells, President Thomas Hesse, and Secretary Treasurer Richelle Stewart to discuss the referendum.

One thing became very clear from early on — separation is a financial risk we can’t afford as Alberta workers.

Can you afford to lose $6,000 per year?

Reports about the potential economic impacts of Alberta separating from the rest of Canada have been circulating for weeks. A June article found that 80% of Calgary Chamber of Commerce members said talks of separation has been bad for business. An independent Alberta could also pose significant challenges for the province’s oil and gas industry, as examined by the CBC just last month.

Indeed, as Dr. Brownsey noted during our call, “It has been said that over $20 billion has been lost since separation became a significant provincial issue,” Brownsey said. “Separation would crash Alberta’s economy, and a study by the Canadian American Business Council found that the average income in this province would drop by $6,000 right off the top.”

As Dr. Brownsey notes, $6,000 is a lot of money that most Alberta workers can’t afford to lose during a once-in-a-generation affordability crisis.

Alberta workers are the ones who stand to lose the most

“There is no question that those who stand to lose the most from separation are Alberta workers themselves,” explained President Thomas Hesse. “We cannot afford to make life even more difficult by plunging our province’s economy into chaos, and Alberta’s bank accounts into deeper uncertainty.”

The cold reality of the upcoming referendum is that these proposals would put Alberta and Alberta workers in a much worse place than supporters would have us believe.

The referendum could upend workers’ Charter rights (including the right to union association), drive us further into economic difficulty, and put everyone’s quality of life in real jeopardy.

The Calgary Chamber of Commerce further found that nearly half of responding businesses would leave the province – a devastating outcome for workers and their families.

“Alberta workers are being sold a false bill of goods that promises things that either can’t be delivered or are blatantly false,” stated Secretary Treasurer Richelle Stewart. “At a time when the province and country are experiencing an incredibly harmful affordability crisis, these questions will only make life harder for workers who live here.”

Together: “No!”

Public Interest Alberta is launching its “Together – No!” referendum campaign in Lethbridge (September 2nd) and Edmonton (September 3rd), and wants UFCW Local 401 members to join in! 

“The fall referendum threatens to divide our country and our communities. That’s why we are supporting PIA’s campaign, joining together with thousands of Albertans who are saying “No!” to division, “No!” to distractions from the real issues like affordability and health care, and most of all – “No!” to separation,” said Mark Wells, Local 401 Director of Policy and Analysis.

Launch Event Schedule

• Lethbridge Launch
  • Date: Wednesday, September 2nd (6:30PM)
    Location: Southminster United Church
    Address: 1011 4 Ave S, Lethbridge, AB T1J 0P5
• Edmonton Launch
  • Date: Thursday, September 3rd (6:30PM)
    Location: Beverly Heights Community Hall
    Address: 4209 111 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5W 0K3

RSVP: Click here to RSVP for the Campaign Launch.In solidarity,
Your Union
UFCW Local 401

Posted on: September 02,2026