The claims about Alberta independence, checked against the evidence.
Each claim is stated fairly, given a verdict, and linked to real sources. Contested questions are marked contested rather than forced to a conclusion the evidence does not support. Select a verdict tile to filter the list.
All claims (27)
Alberta is entitled to 53 percent (about 334 billion dollars) of CPP assets if it leaves.
Stated by: Government of Alberta / LifeWorks 2023 report
Alberta pays into equalization every year and gets nothing back.
Stated by: Commonly stated by Alberta independence advocates
An independent Alberta is guaranteed sea access under UNCLOS Articles 124 to 125.
Stated by: Commonly stated by Alberta independence advocates
Alberta can simply keep using the Canadian dollar, with no downside.
Stated by: Commonly stated by Alberta independence advocates
A provincial referendum is enough for Alberta to secede.
Stated by: Commonly stated by Alberta independence advocates
Albertans would keep their Canadian passports after independence.
Stated by: Alberta Prosperity Project
An independent Alberta faces no real security threats and minimal defence cost.
Stated by: Commonly stated by Alberta independence advocates
The Sovereignty Act lets Alberta refuse to enforce any federal law it considers harmful.
Stated by: Government of Alberta
The 2021 referendum means equalization is being removed from the Constitution.
Stated by: Stated during the 2021 equalization referendum campaign
An independent Alberta would automatically stay in USMCA and Canada's trade agreements.
Stated by: Commonly stated by Alberta independence advocates
Independence would be a fiscal windfall and Alberta would owe no share of the national debt.
Stated by: Alberta Prosperity Project fiscal plan
Albertans would be wealthier in an independent Alberta.
Stated by: Commonly stated by Alberta independence advocates
Alberta could simply become the 51st US state.
Stated by: Discussed by some Alberta independence advocates
First Nations and their treaties would be unaffected if Alberta became independent.
Stated by: Implied by some Alberta independence proposals
An independent Alberta could force new pipelines through British Columbia to tidewater.
Stated by: Commonly stated by Alberta independence advocates
Independence would let Alberta build a Norway-style trillion-dollar wealth fund.
Stated by: Commonly stated by Alberta independence advocates
A simple 50 percent plus one majority would be enough for Alberta to leave.
Stated by: Commonly stated by Alberta independence advocates
Albertans pay far more into federal finances than they get back.
Stated by: Commonly stated by Alberta independence advocates
An independent Alberta would keep its place in NATO and continental defence.
Stated by: Implied by some Alberta independence proposals
A majority of Albertans support leaving Canada.
Stated by: Asserted by some Alberta independence advocates
Because of its oil, Alberta would hold the upper hand in separation negotiations.
Stated by: Commonly stated by Alberta independence advocates
An independent Alberta would borrow cheaply and enjoy a strong credit rating.
Stated by: Implied by some Alberta independence proposals
Albertans pay more into Employment Insurance than they get back.
Stated by: Commonly stated by Alberta independence advocates
The courts struck down Ottawa's Bill C-69 as an unconstitutional intrusion into Alberta's resource jurisdiction.
Stated by: Commonly stated by Alberta independence advocates
Alberta could run its own pension plan and collect its own income tax without separating, as Quebec does.
Stated by: Government of Alberta
An independent Alberta would be recognized internationally and join the UN as a matter of course.
Stated by: Implied by some Alberta independence proposals
Quebec receives the most equalization money.
Stated by: Commonly stated by Alberta independence advocates