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Former Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper published a column cautioning against the prospect of Alberta separating from Canada. He argued that even a symbolic vote would be a fraught approach involving significant risk. Harper criticized the federal government for fostering provincial discontent but maintained that separation would not resolve these issues, while also calling for unity between Liberals and Conservatives.
Former Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper cautioned against the prospect of Alberta separation in a column Friday, writing that even voting just to "send a message" would represent a fraught approach.
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results. Former prime minister Stephen Harper speaks during a ceremony for his official portrait unveiling in Ottawa, on Feb. 3.
Former Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper cautioned against the prospect of Alberta separation in a column Friday, writing that even voting just to "send a message" would represent a fraught approach.
"No one will be surprised to learn that I am against separation. That would involve much risk and be extremely difficult to bring about," Harper wrote in the Calgary Herald.
On Oct. 19, voters will be asked whether Alberta should remain a province of Canada, or whether the government of Alberta should hold a second, binding referendum to separate from Canada.on Parliament Hill, Harper called for Liberals and Conservatives to come together amid reinvigorated separatist movements in Alberta and Quebec.the federal government's decision to walk away from trade talks with the United States at the Canada Investment Summit, arguing that Canada needed to pursue "diminished reliance" on the United States in order to maintain its sovereignty. Speaking in Edmonton earlier this week, he blamed the Liberal government for what he said was its role in seeding discontent, but said separating from Canada wouldn't help resolve provincial grievances.
Bell Canada CEO Mirko Bibic, left to right, former prime minister Stephen Harper, Prime Minister Mark Carney, former prime minister Jean Chretien, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and Saskatchewan's Crown Investments Corporation Minister Jeremy Harrison pose for a photo at Canada's National Investment Summit in Toronto on Sept. 14, 2026. While many Albertans may feel alienated from Ottawa, Harper wrote in his Friday column that pursuing independence would pose "significant risk.
" "Whatever the results of the Alberta vote, it is incumbent upon Canada to move with immediacy and urgency to address the barriers, many self-imposed, to our long-term stability and prosperity," Harper wrote. "It is on this objective that I believe the passion and legitimate frustration of Albertans should also remain focused.
"Alberta independence campaigners go for soft sell, even if they want a hard exit They've argued that voting to hold a future, binding referendum would provide Alberta leverage against Ottawa when it comes to resolving its grievances. Keith Wilson, a leader of a pro-independence group, often argues on social media that voting for the separation option is an opportunity to send a message that the "status quo with Ottawa is unacceptable.
" "For me, Oct. 19 is not simply a debate about staying or leaving; it is also about strategy. What position gives Alberta the strongest voice in determining its future?
" Wilsonafter he confirmed to CBC News that he has voted via a mail-in ballot for Option 2: "I've always supported having a referendum on independence because I want Ottawa to be compelled to fix the things that are broken. " In his column, Harper disagreed with that argument, writing that "over two generations of Quebec politics were spent debating the goal of the separatists.
" "Most voting for it will do so just to 'send a message,' in other words, to keep the threat alive in the hope of retaining theThe former prime minister also contended that the federal government under his leadership helped stamp out separatist sentiment, including when it came to its approach to energy policy.that separatist sentiments were wiped out in Alberta and Quebec under Harper’s government — comments that received pushback from the Bloc Québécois. Joel is a reporter/editor with CBC Calgary.
In fall 2021, he spent time with CBC's bureau in Lethbridge. He was previously the editor of the Airdrie City View and Rocky View Weekly newspapers. He hails from Swift Current, Sask. Reach him by email at joel.dryden@cbc.ca
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