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TL;DR
Calgary City Council voted 14-1 in favour of the city remaining part of Alberta and Canada.
On October 19, Alberta will hold a referendum to ask whether the province should stay in Canada or begin the process for a binding separation vote.
The referendum result is non-binding, and Calgary’s motion does not tell residents how to vote.
Business groups and researchers have expressed concerns about how much separation could cost.
On September 22, Calgary city council voted 14-1 to confirm the city’s future within Canada, just under four weeks before Alberta’s province-wide referendum.
The motion has no legal effect on the October 19 vote. It shows that Calgary’s council supports staying in Canada, a debate that could impact city funding, business investment, and Alberta’s future.
What the Calgary council approved
Mayor Jeromy Farkas brought the motion forward as urgent business, with Ward 3 Councillor Andrew Yule as co-sponsor. The motion confirmed Calgary’s role as an important part of Alberta and Canada.
“We need to settle this,” Farkas said. “Calgary’s place is at the centre of a strong and united Team Canada.”
Council moved forward without debating the motion in the chamber. Ward 12 Councillor Mike Jamieson was the only one to vote against it, saying that taking an official city position could further divide Calgarians.
The Better Calgary Party, which Councillor Mike Jamieson represented, also criticized the decision. Party president Marilyn Elliott said City Hall should represent all residents’ views instead of taking sides on a provincial issue.
Edmonton city council also passed a similar declaration unanimously on July 10.
What the referendum would do
Question 10 on Alberta’s ballot gives voters two choices: Alberta remains a province of Canada, or the provincial government begins the legal steps to hold a binding referendum on separation.
The Oct. 19 result is non-binding, so it cannot make Alberta an independent country. The ballot contains 10 questions, including five others concerning immigration or access to publicly funded programs. Municipalities are not allowed to spend or raise money as third-party referendum advertisers. However, elected officials can share their views, and councils can pass motions.s.
Economic concerns have shaped the debate so far
An analysis by the University of Calgary School of Public Policy estimated that setting up an independent Alberta could cost between $50 billion and $170 billion over five years. This range depends on different negotiation scenarios and is not a firm prediction.
A Calgary Chamber of Commerce survey found that 48 percent of 137 members who responded would likely move their business if Alberta started the formal separation process. The Chamber noted that the online survey was a convenience sample and did not have a margin of error.
What this means for you
The council’s motion does not affect your immigration status, public services, taxes, or legal rights. It is a political statement, not a new city policy.
If you can vote, make sure to read the exact wording before making your choice. A vote to start the legal process would still need more constitutional work and another binding referendum later. Newcomers should also look at the whole ballot, since other questions are about immigration and access to public programs. Elections Alberta is also looking for workers for referendum day.
Before you go…
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Dozie Anyaegbunam | Managing Editor