As an October vote on Alberta separation draws closer, provincial business leaders say the debate is starting to weigh upon companies — and negatively affect views about the state of the provincial economy.

The Alberta Chambers of Commerce will release a new report on Thursday that shows 39 per cent of its members and business respondents who were surveyed recently believe the discourse surrounding separation is affecting their companies — up 11 percentage points since January — while nearly half say it’s not having an influence.

Concerns about separation focus on the potential for slowing the economy or a recession — cited by almost seven in 10 of those who think there’s an impact — followed by the effect on investment and sales dropping.

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Slightly more than two-thirds of respondents say the issue is affecting the provincial economy. And of those, about 90 per cent characterize it as negative, citing a range of issues, such as the ramifications on business investment or companies considering a move out of the province.

Of the respondents who believe the discussion is impacting Alberta’s economy, about six in 10 said it would increase the risk of a recession, make it harder to grow trade with other provinces, and lead to talent leaving or make it more difficult to attract workers.

“There’s real uncertainty as this issue has surfaced, and as we’re trying to work through it as a province,” Alberta Chambers of Commerce........

© Calgary Herald