The Facts · Jobs & Energy

The jobs separation puts on the line

Alberta’s energy economy was built on access to Canadian pipelines, ports, workers, and markets. Separation severs every one of those links.

175kAlberta jobs a separation could cost1
$182BAlberta's yearly merchandise exports2
89%Of those exports go to the U.S.2
How separation hits your paycheque

Four threats to Alberta jobs

1

Pipelines become foreign infrastructure

Our oil and gas reach tidewater through pipelines crossing other provinces. As a separate country, Alberta would need new treaties just to keep the taps open.

2

Projects freeze during the limbo years

Major capital projects need certainty. A multi-year separation fight would stall investment and the construction jobs that come with it.

3

Skilled workers leave

Engineers, tradespeople, and nurses move where stability and opportunity are. A border with Canada makes leaving easier and staying riskier.

4

Federal procurement disappears

Defence, research, and infrastructure dollars that flow to Alberta employers stop at a new international border.

What our jobs depend on

By the numbers

Alberta's paycheques ride on exports — concentrated in energy and in one buyer.

Alberta merchandise exports that are energy products276%
Alberta crude oil exports headed to the U.S.393%
Alberta agri-food exports that go to the U.S.453%
Albertans who would vote to stay in Canada560%
The choice

Two very different futures

If Alberta separates

  • New treaties needed for pipeline access
  • Investment frozen for years
  • Skilled-worker exodus
  • Loss of federal contracts and research
  • Higher costs to move every barrel

If Alberta stays

  • Guaranteed pipeline and port access
  • Stable rules that attract investment
  • A national labour market
  • Federal procurement and research dollars
  • Lower costs to reach global buyers

Sources

  1. Trevor Tombe (University of Calgary), modelling for the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, 2026 — separation could cost roughly 175,000 jobs and shrink Alberta's economy ~6%. CBC News.
  2. Statistics Canada, Table 12-10-0175-01 — Alberta's international merchandise exports were ~$182.6B in 2024, ~89% to the United States, with energy ~76% of the total. StatCan.
  3. Canada Energy Regulator — ~93% of Canadian crude oil exports went to the United States (2024). CER.
  4. Government of Alberta — of $17.5B in agri-food exports (2024), ~$9.3B (~53%) went to the United States. alberta.ca.
  5. Angus Reid Institute (May 2026) — 60% of Albertans would vote to remain in Canada. Angus Reid.

This is a demonstration site. Figures are sourced where shown. Alberta's export concentration is itself the risk: a new border raises the cost of reaching those markets.

Protect Alberta jobs. Vote to Remain.

Add your name and we’ll send you the facts on jobs and energy before referendum day.

More Facts