Then-Premier-Designate Jason Kenney and Then-Alberta Premier Rachel Notley meet in Edmonton on April 18, 2019. Jason Franson/The Canadian Press
Former Alberta premiers Jason Kenney and Rachel Notley are teaming up to promote a national campaign bringing together business and community leaders around a commitment to Alberta’s prosperity and Canada’s economic future.
Kenney, the former leader of the United Conservative Party, and Notley, the former leader of the NDP, are co-chairing the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s “Alberta and Canada: Stronger Together” campaign, the chamber announced on Aug. 25.
The campaign aims to “make the economic case for a strong Alberta within a strong and united Canada, while advancing practical solutions to legitimate challenges facing the province,” the chamber said in its news release.
Albertans will vote in a referendum on Oct. 19 on whether they want the province to stay in Canada or to kick-start the process for a second, binding vote on separation.
Some Albertans in support of separation feel that Ottawa no longer represents their interests, citing federal energy policy, equalization payments, gun regulations, immigration, and what they see as an increasingly centralized federal government that ignores Western priorities.
Candace Laing, the chamber’s president and CEO, said Kenney and Notley understood what was at stake with the separation issue.
“Prolonged uncertainty around constitutional or political separation brings real risks for investor confidence, economic growth and Canada’s competitiveness, at exactly the wrong time,” Laing said in the news release.
“With geopolitical and economic uncertainty reshaping global trade and investment, Canada will be only better off with greater economic cooperation—not less,” she added.
The chamber said that while Kenney and Notley have “distinct political perspectives,” they also shared a record of public service and commitment to their province.
Kenney, who also served as a federal cabinet minister and has spoken against the separation push, said that he is “always happy to put patriotism ahead of partisanship.”
“I would say we’re frenemies,” he said. “We’ve had frank and sometimes funny exchanges at a couple of events. But I’ve always respected her … as a very competent woman, a very committed Albertan.”
Notley said that she and Kenney may disagree on issues, but they agree the referendum is bad for business in Alberta and bad timing due to the ongoing trade war with the United States.
“We’ll no doubt be standing shoulder to shoulder on this up until we can put it to bed once and for all,” Notley said.
Jeffrey Rath, one of the key figures behind the Alberta separation petition, criticized the move on social media, writing: “DOESN’T THIS JUST SAY EVERYTHING! KENNEY AND NOTLEY. Together forever!”
The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
