In a heated debate held in downtown Calgary, former UCP premier Jason Kenney and constitutional lawyer Keith Wilson discussed Alberta's future regarding a potential referendum on separation from Canada. Kenney argued for remaining within Canada, suggesting that Alberta should focus on gaining more power and influence rather than pursuing independence. He warned that separation could lead to economic decline, making Alberta a landlocked economy reliant on commodity exports. Kenney highlighted the importance of maintaining access to Canadian markets and the potential negative impacts of separation, such as decreased investment and housing market instability. Conversely, Wilson contended that Alberta has exhausted its efforts to negotiate effectively with Ottawa and described Canada as a failed experiment. He claimed that Alberta's vast oil reserves and geographical advantages would support a prosperous independent economy. Audience reactions reflected a split opinion, with some attendees favoring Kenney's pragmatic approach while others expressed skepticism about the future of Alberta within Canada. A vote on whether to hold a binding referendum on separation is set for October 19.