Nearly 80% of Canadians oppose idea of Alberta leaving the nation: polling

A majority of Canadians say that if they could, they would vote to block both Alberta and Quebec from separating from Canada, according to the results from recent polling conducted by the Angus Reid Institute (ARI). 

Earlier this month, the non-profit conducted a series of polls that looked at how Canadians feel about separatist sentiments that are being voiced in Alberta and Quebec. The results of the polling were released on Monday.

The survey was conducted online between Feb. 2 and Feb. 6 and gathered responses from a randomized sample of a little more than 3,000 Canadians.

"For comparison purposes only, a probability sample of this size would carry a margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points, 19 times out of 20," the ARI said in a news release.

The ARI found that 79 per cent of Canadians — if they could vote on it — would block Alberta from separating while 71 per cent said they would block Quebec from leaving. 

If a province decides to separate from Canada, a constitutional amendment is required and would need the approval of at least seven provinces representing at least 50 per cent of the population.

A concern that became apparent in the polling results was the economic hit that Canadians feared would result if either province left the nation. 

“For people who want to stay … and for those who are outside the province, there is a significant amount of economic anxiety about the potential of separation,” ARI president Shachi Kurl said in an interview with CBC News. 

“You have people outside of Alberta watching what's happening. They're not only worried about the impacts on the Albertan economy, but also on the Canadian economy if Alberta were to remove itself from Confederation.” 

The polling found two in five Canadians believe that Alberta leaving the country would be overwhelmingly negative as the province’s oil and gas sector is such a significant driver of the Canadian economy.

By comparison, when it comes to Quebec, only 20 per cent of those surveyed thought it would be an overwhelmingly negative loss.

Quebec is responsible for one-fifth of the nation’s GDP, while Alberta’s economy represents 15 per cent, according to the ARI. 

The poll also looked at perceptions regarding which provinces contribute and receive the most as part of Confederation. 

“When you look at the state of Confederation, you've got significant numbers of people in this country who believe that Alberta, in particular, does not receive more than it gives as part of being in Confederation,” Kurl said.