Independence would let Alberta build a Norway-style trillion-dollar wealth fund.
Stated by: Commonly stated by Alberta independence advocates
Summary
Norway's sovereign wealth fund, partly modelled on Alberta's own Heritage Fund, now exceeds a trillion US dollars, while the Heritage Fund is far smaller. The gap reflects decades of different savings and withdrawal choices, not independence as such; Alberta could have saved more while remaining a province. Whether a separate Alberta would actually save on Norway's scale, while also absorbing new costs of statehood, is unproven, and the comparison is imperfect because Norway is already a country with different tax powers.
Evidence
Norway's fund, partly modelled on the Heritage Fund, now exceeds $1.7 trillion; one estimate found the Heritage Fund would be worth roughly $164 billion had Alberta followed Norway's rules, a choice available within Canada.
Café Bedouin (Alberta sovereignty analysis) (opens in a new tab)
Independent modelling finds separation would shrink Alberta's economy and government revenues, working against, not toward, large new savings.