by Keith Wilson K.C. | Constitutional Lawyer
«Keith Wilson and Bill Jones debate one of the biggest questions facing Alberta: is Alberta actually prepared to become an independent country?
Recorded at WE UNIFY’s 5th Annual Leadership Conference in Calgary, this discussion examines Alberta’s relationship with Ottawa, the case for greater sovereignty, and what a transition from province to independent country could actually involve.
The debate goes beyond slogans and tackles the difficult questions:
- Is Alberta institutionally prepared for independence?
• What happens to Alberta’s economy and trade?
• What would happen to Alberta’s relationship with the United States?
• How would First Nations and treaty relationships be addressed?
• What institutions would Alberta need to control?
• What would independence mean for the rest of Canada?
• Is the greater risk leaving Canada, or maintaining the current arrangement?
• What does an Option 2 vote on October 19 actually mean?
Bill Jones argues Alberta needs to establish more of its institutional foundations before pursuing independence.
Keith Wilson argues Alberta already possesses the infrastructure, resources, economy and institutions required to succeed, and that much of the transition would involve transferring authority from Ottawa to Alberta rather than constructing a country from scratch.
The discussion also addresses Alberta’s enormous fiscal contribution to Ottawa, federal energy policy, investment uncertainty, equalization, the Alberta Transition Council plan, and the argument that Alberta could ultimately become one of the freest and most prosperous countries in the world.
The October 19 vote is not the final independence referendum.
It is a choice between maintaining the status quo or beginning a process that could give Alberta substantially greater leverage over its future.
Watch the full debate and decide for yourself.»