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

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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.

‘Gives out more than it gets’
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.

“They do feel that Alberta lifts more than its weight economically and otherwise.”

Nearly one-quarter of Canadians surveyed said Alberta’s provincial economy would get a boost with separation, but just over 60 per cent said leaving Canada would have an adverse impact.

WATCH | Alberta separatist group collecting signatures:
In a news release, the ARI said 29 per cent of Canadians surveyed said Alberta “gives more than it gets, well ahead of any other province or region, with Saskatchewan second at 13 per cent.”

However, 42 per cent of respondents said Quebec benefits more than other provinces, ahead of second place Ontario at 22 per cent.

Geopolitical uncertainty
Another issue that survey respondents were asked about was the tumultuous relationship between Canada and the U.S.

The ARI poll found nearly 80 per cent of all respondents think the U.S. would definitely or probably try to economically and politically pressure Alberta to join as a new state if the province were to leave Canada.

The ARI polling found that the number of respondents who said they were very proud to be Canadian has dropped to 39 per cent after 47 per cent said they felt very proud last March following threats of annexation by U.S. President Donald Trump.

The polling results were released as a group of Alberta separatists continues to collect signatures for a petition calling for an independence referendum and after Premier Danielle Smith announced an October referendum on measures to limit immigration to Alberta and changes she believes would give the province more rights under the Constitution.

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