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Rob Breakenridge: Alberta leaving more damaging than if Quebec left

But separatism would also be costly for Alberta

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With a weak and possibly shrinking economy, coupled with growing trade uncertainty with the United States, it’s a less than ideal time for a Canadian national unity crisis.

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Unfortunately, we seem to be rushing headlong into one.

Rob Breakenridge: Alberta leaving more damaging than if Quebec left Back to video

It’s not our first, of course, but what’s unprecedented about our latest unity stress test is what’s happening in western Canada. For the first time, Albertans will be casting ballots on their future in a fall referendum that could open the door to a subsequent binding vote on leaving Confederation.

While all of this is less than ideal, hopefully it can serve as a wake-up call. The underlying issues and frustrations in Alberta aren’t new, but this moment creates an opportunity to recognize just what it is we stand to lose

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