A report from the Canada West Foundation, an independent, non-partisan think tank based in Calgary, estimates setting up an independent Alberta would cost more than $200 billion, with ongoing costs of more than $50 billion annually.
These would include Alberta taking over its share of the federal debt, the associated annual debt servicing costs, setting up new trade agreements, and taking over federal transfers for health care, child care and other services.
“It could very well shrink Alberta’s economy, cause jobs to be lost, raise interest rates and deter investment,” writes former Treasury Board senior manager Lennie Kaplan.
CBC News: Alberta separation too costly with too many uncertainties, warns Calgary think-tank