Former Alberta premiers Jason Kenney and Rachel Notley have set aside years of political rivalry to campaign together against Alberta separation, creating an unusual alliance ahead of the province’s October referendum.
The pair are co-chairing the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s “Alberta and Canada: Stronger Together” campaign, which aims to make the economic case for keeping Alberta inside a united Canada.
Their partnership is striking because Kenney, a former United Conservative premier, defeated Notley’s NDP government in 2019. Their administrations subsequently pursued sharply different approaches to taxation, healthcare, energy, and provincial policy.
Despite those differences, Kenney says both politicians share a commitment to Canada and recognize Alberta’s importance to the country’s economic success. He has described himself and Notley as political “frenemies.”
The former premiers are preparing to address Albertans who remain frustrated with Ottawa but do not necessarily support leaving Canada. Their argument is that provincial grievances can be addressed without the need for separation.
The campaign comes as Albertans prepare for an October 19 referendum asking whether the province should remain in Canada or proceed toward another binding vote on independence.
Notley has argued that the referendum is damaging for Alberta’s business environment and comes at an especially difficult moment amid heightened international trade uncertainty. She and Kenney therefore intend to campaign together despite their ideological differences.
Kenney has warned that separation could create prolonged economic and political uncertainty, pointing to Quebec’s experience with repeated independence debates. He argues that businesses require stability and predictable relationships with markets and governments.
Notley, meanwhile, has criticized Premier Danielle Smith’s government over what she views as its role in bringing the separation question before voters. Yet she agrees with Kenney that Alberta’s future should be debated within a united Canada.
The unusual alliance highlights how the separation question has disrupted traditional political divisions. Former adversaries from opposite ends of Alberta’s political spectrum are now presenting a common message: provincial interests and Canadian unity do not have to competing objectives.
With the referendum approaching, Kenney and Notley face the challenge of persuading voters. that Alberta can demand stronger provincial powers, greater economic recognition, and better federal relations while remaining part of Canada. Their temporary partnership may prove influential.
