[Sylvanfan]

Not having an ocean border or major seaway to ship goods we'd be left as a land locked province. We'd be forced to pay tariffs to ship anything out of our country big time which would hinder trading. Quebec has a major playing card in the St.Lawrence seaway going right through their province. Personally I'd be against the idea of separation as it does seem a bit radical. The fact is right now things are great in Alberta because Oil is unstoppable. But if that was to have a downturn than what do we have to fall back on? Ranching and Farming are dying industries in this province. Tourism will never generate close to enough money, and Forestry and Mining aren't particulary huge industries here. Also don't forget that one huge benefit to being in Canada is that we can attract skilled labour from 9 other provinces who heavily foot the training bill for this labour. If Alberta is an entirely different country than that welder from B.C. who we need to go work up in Fort Mac might have some reservations. Sure Alberta gets what would seem the short end of the stick, but I'd still rather see us remain part of Canada. In fact government wise having a Liberal minority trying to appease a Conservative opposition is better than having a conservative minority that gets trampled on by three other parties.