ACC Media Release: 25/06/2026

Business Confidence in Alberta Declines as Uncertainty Grows

Edmonton, AB – The Alberta Chambers of Commerce (ACC) released findings from its “Business and Public Attitudes to Key Policy Issues” research, showing that federal policy impacts and separation uncertainty are the top issues facing the province for Alberta businesses. Federal policy impacts were identified as the top issue (20%) for the second year, with respondents writing in separation (15%) as the second most pressing issue.The research, conducted between May 22 and June 17, 2026, collected insights from more than 680 business respondents. In addition, 800 members of the Alberta public shared their perspectives between June 6 and June 14, 2026. This is the eight annual survey in this research series focusing on economic and fiscal policy issues.

Separation uncertainty is having broader economic impacts

The number of businesses reporting separation discourse impacting their operations (39%) or the provincial economy (68%) have grown substantively in the past year, increasing seventeen points reporting operational impacts and fifteen points for impacts on the provincial economy. The impacts to business operations (86%) and the provincial economy (92%) are overwhelmingly described as negative.

Increasing uncertainty around separation appears to be impacting the business community’s outlook on the province’s long-term future. The number of businesses holding a positive outlook has declined ten points over the last year, with just over half (54%) now holding a positive view. In a notable shift, businesses are now more positive about Canada’s future (60%) than Alberta’s. 

“Alberta businesses continue to believe in the province’s long-term potential, but confidence has clearly softened,” said Shauna Feth, President and CEO of the Alberta Chambers of Commerce. “The uncertainty businesses are navigating right now is influencing investment decisions, hiring, and long-term planning.” 

Views on the future importance of the oil and gas industry are aligned. 

The proportion of businesses (42%) and the public (36%) who believe the oil and gas industry will be more important in the future to the province’s economy is up significantly and are at the highest levels over the past two years since tracking began. Significant majorities of both businesses (88%) and the public (85%) continue to believe the industry will either become more important in the future or continue to be as important as it is today. Similarly, businesses (84%) and the public (84%) believe the oil and gas industry will be more or as important for Canada’s economy over the next few years as it is today. 

Federal regulatory burdens on Alberta businesses seem to be easing.  

Industries in the primary sector are the most likely to say their business has been impacted ‘greatly’ or ‘somewhat’ (85%) by federal regulations. There has, however, been a 16-point decline over the past two years, including six points in the last year, in the number of businesses overall reporting federal regulations ‘greatly’ impact their business. Those reporting that federal regulations ‘greatly’ impact their business are more likely (52%) to say separation discourse has had a positive or no impact on the province’s economy or to be undecided about the impacts. 

Trade and diversification are top priorities.

Diversifying the economy (24%) and building and expanding pipelines to non-U.S. markets (14%) emerge as the most important business priorities for the province. Two thirds of businesses (67%) also say it is ‘very’ or ‘vitally’ important that Alberta specific trade issues with the U.S. be resolved to support renegotiation of a tariff-free Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement.  

“Businesses are telling us that uncertainty, whether economic or political, is having real, measurable impacts,” said Ms. Feth. “Rebuilding confidence means creating the conditions for investment to move, not sit on the sidelines.” 

View the Full Report here

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