Albertans are proud Canadians

By Vamini Selvanandan

Wheat from our fields. Energy from our land. Athletes on podiums. Every day, Alberta and Albertans make Canada proud — feeding the country, fueling the economy, and bringing home hard-won medals. We strengthen this nation. We are essential to its prosperity. We are fiercely Albertan and proudly Canadian.

Alberta’s influence within Canada is considerable and hard-earned. As one of the country’s economic engines, we contribute billions in revenue and help shape national energy and agricultural policy. Our Members of Parliament carry real authority. Whether serving in government or in opposition, they advance Alberta’s interests and hold Ottawa accountable for treating our province fairly.

At times, it can feel as though Alberta is not being heard. The federal government has made mistakes, and that frustration is real. But in this province, we value relationships. We don’t walk away when things get difficult — we sit down for hard conversations and work them through. Leaving Canada would not simply redraw lines on a map; it would strain families, divide businesses, and complicate relationships with the First Nations communities with whom we share this land. Our instinct has always been to build, not to break.

Within Canada, Alberta benefits from stability — and stability matters. Uncertainty drives up risk, and risk costs money. Canada’s AAA credit rating and strong national institutions help keep borrowing affordable for farmers buying equipment, companies investing in energy, and municipalities building infrastructure. We share a stable currency trusted around the world and a banking system that proved resilient when much of the global financial system faltered in 2008. With dependable crop insurance and national disaster relief, we know that when drought, floods, or wildfire threaten our livelihoods, we are not standing alone.

The rest of Canada is Alberta’s largest and most reliable customer. Our beef, grain, canola, and pork move freely across provincial borders. Our energy flows east and west, powering homes and industries nationwide. And when we sell to the world, we do so with the negotiating strength of a G7 nation — with far more leverage than Alberta would carry alone.

Even talk of separation introduces uncertainty. Businesses look for stability and clear rules. Investors hesitate when the political future is unclear, and skilled workers may choose to build their futures elsewhere. In a competitive economy, stability is an advantage we cannot afford to undermine.

Albertans value dependable programs like the Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, and Employment Insurance. These are not handouts; they are earned benefits. They may not be perfect, but they are proven and reliable. Improving what works makes far more sense than dismantling it and starting from scratch.

At a time when real priorities demand attention — health care access, quality education, roads, and water infrastructure— separation would be a costly distraction. Our time, talent, and resources are better spent strengthening our communities.

We now live in a more uncertain world, one where size and strength matter. As part of a G7 country and a NATO member, Alberta benefits from economic clout, trade leverage, and collective security that we could not replicate alone.

If we value our freedom and prosperity, we must protect the foundation that sustains them. Alberta has never been the weak link in this country — we are its backbone. Canada is stronger because of Alberta, and Alberta is stronger and freer within Canada.

Vamini Selvanandan is a family physician and public health practitioner in Alberta. For more articles like this, visit http://www.engagedcitizen.ca.