Commentary
In just over a week, Albertans will vote on whether their provincial government should hold a referendum on whether the province should seek independence from Canada.
There is zero chance of it passing.
Albertans will overwhelmingly reject the advancement of the cause of separation within the nation’s most prosperous province. It has been 61 years since it was a “have not” province in receipt of equalization payments designed to ensure residents of all provinces enjoy relatively equal quality health care and education.
Since then, Alberta has contributed an estimated $600 billion more to the nation than it has received, the current pace ranging around $20–$24 billion a year. The Fraser Institute estimates the value of Alberta’s contribution to be equal to $1,000 annually to every taxpayer in Canada’s other provinces and territories….