Ian Cooper, a senior research fellow at Dublin City University's Brexit Institute, expresses concern over Alberta's upcoming referendum on separation, likening it to the Brexit vote in the UK. He warns that the political discourse surrounding Alberta's separatism mirrors the chaos that ensued after Brexit, emphasizing the unpredictability of referendum outcomes. Cooper notes that Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's actions resemble those of former UK Prime Minister David Cameron, who called the Brexit referendum, believing it would settle the issue. He cautions that the convoluted 37-word question on Alberta's ballot invites voters to express dissatisfaction with the federal government rather than a genuine desire for separation. This could lead to significant confusion and prolonged negotiations, similar to the ongoing challenges faced in the UK post-Brexit. Mark Carney, former governor of the Bank of England, corroborates Cooper's concerns, stating that the UK is still grappling with the fallout from its decision to leave the EU. However, Andrew Percy, a former British MP, argues that the comparison to Brexit is not entirely valid, as the UK was leaving a trading bloc rather than a country.