Calgary city council voted Tuesday in support of a statement on national unity, ahead of an Alberta referendum on separation this fall.
Mayor Jeromy Farkas raised the motion as urgent business on Tuesday. His motion called for councillors to affirm Calgary’s place “as a vital part of Alberta and Canada.”
It was supported in a 14-1 vote. Ward 12 Coun. Mike Jamieson was the only councillor to vote in opposition.
Last week, city councillors expressed some disagreement about whether it was their place to wade into the province’s debate on independence.
But Farkas argued that given the economic risk the city faces if Alberta separates, Calgary needed to take a stance.
“When it comes to the Alberta separation debate, now is the time to stand up and be counted,” said Farkas.
“We stand so much to lose when it comes to this debate. We need to move on from this; we need to settle this. Calgary’s place is at the centre of a strong and united team Canada.”
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Edmonton’s city council took a similar stance earlier this year. Farkas said he hopes Tuesday’s motion influences other municipalities to do the same.
The vote comes less than a month ahead of an Oct. 19 referendum, which includes a question asking whether Alberta should remain in Canada or commence the legal process to hold a binding referendum on separation.
Farkas said he’s concerned Alberta’s independence would lead to a large flight of capital and investment away from Calgary. Alberta is not viable as a standalone country, Farkas said, and the path to separating would likely lead it to become part of the United States instead.
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“A vote to separate is a vote to become the 51st state here in Alberta. I will not accept this future for Calgarians,” said Farkas.
Council approved voting on Farkas’s motion Tuesday without first debating it.
But Jamieson told reporters he opposed Farkas’s motion to avoid dividing Calgarians. He said with residents on both sides of the debate, he didn’t think it was right for the city to take a position.
“My job is to support all Calgarians, whatever their views are,” said Jamieson.
“I cannot support the city making an official position that risks dividing our communities any further.”
Jamieson declined to say which way he would vote in this fall’s referendum on Alberta separation.
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Ward 14 Coun. Landon Johnston criticized Farkas’s motion last week, arguing council should focus on more important matters. He voted in favour of the mayor’s motion on Tuesday, but reiterated his position to reporters that council shouldn’t weigh in.
“This isn’t urgent business. This vote has been in the works since May. This could have been brought at any time. Again, it’s just a performance by the mayor trying to push more divide throughout the city,” said Johnston.
“Everybody kind of knows where this vote is going anyways. We could be more focused on the budget right now.”
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When asked about the potential negative economic effect Alberta independence could have on Calgary, Johnston said he didn’t know enough about the issue.
“I listen to the same experts as everybody else does. But in the end, our roads are still going to have to be fixed and that’s what I want to focus on,” said Johnston.
Farkas suggested the motion last week after a report from the University of Calgary School of Public Policy stated the cost of establishing a new country could range from $50 billion to $170 billion over a five-year period.
Supporters of Alberta independence, like the Alberta Prosperity Project, have pushed back against the U of C’s report. They argue an independent Alberta would have a thriving economy without overreach and regulation from Ottawa.
Ward 2 Coun. Jennifer Wyness said it’s unfortunate council has to vote on the matter, but thinks the decision on separation will have massive impacts on funding for Calgary.
“Will the new country of Alberta actually fill that financial gap for all municipalities in this province? No one’s really talking about that,” said Wyness.
“That’s going to put a big hole in our budget and will drive up taxes for Calgarians.”
Ward 4 Coun. DJ Kelly said council needs to let Calgarians know the potential consequences the city faces if Alberta votes to pursue separation.
“If we vote ‘yes’ on this, if we vote for Option 2, it’s just going to delay that uncertainty further and further,” said Kelly.
“Calgarians will feel that pinch and it will be excessive.”
