Monday, September 28: The province says it will look for private-sector proponents of a Calgary–Edmonton high-speed rail project. The proposed connection would see a trip take about one hour, 45 minutes. A proponent is expected to be chosen by April 2027.
Read more: Edmonton to Calgary in an Hour
Tuesday, September 29: A report by University of Calgary economist Trevor Tombe, commissioned by the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, says separation could shrink the province’s economy by $62-billion annually, noting that Alberta is more trade-exposed than other provinces.
Read more: Independently Poor
Wednesday, September 30: UCP MLA Jason Stephan (Red Deer-South) says he has voted in favour of “proceeding with a legally binding referendum on whether the province should leave Canada.” Premier Danielle Smith has said her party’s official position is for a “sovereign Alberta within a united Canada.”
Read more: Should Alberta Separate?
Thursday, October 1: Prime Minister Mark Carney and Premier Danielle Smith announce that Pacific Link, a proposed pipeline to the West Coast, is “a project of national interest.” The classification under the Building Canada Act is expected to see consolidated approval processes and environmental assessments and fast-tracked construction.
Read more: Are More Pipelines in the Public Interest?
The Week in Alberta is updated weekdays by 4:30pm MT.
