Breakenridge: There's much Alberta can do to boost investment

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeColumnists Breakenridge: There's much Alberta can do to boost investment The 'strong and sovereign Alberta' the government so frequently touts means there’s much we can do ourselves to strengthen Alberta’s hand Author of the article: By Rob Breakenridge  •  for the Calgary Herald Published Sep 22, 2026 Last updated 22 minutes ago 3 minute read Join the conversation Article content We’re now just under four weeks away from a historic Alberta referendum, but before that — perhaps within the next 10 days — we’re anticipating a fairly consequential announcement from Ottawa. Article content The official designation that the proposed new West Coast oil pipeline is a project of national interest is expected by Oct. 1. Ahead of that, we’ve had some other important and encouraging policy announcements. Article content Article content Surely the Alberta government must be pleased. But it does raise the question of why we’re passively waiting around for better federal policy instead of acting with the same sort of urgency. Article content Article content Alberta is among the more attractive Canadian investment destinations, but we’re not perfect, and we’re not helpless, either. The “strong and sovereign Alberta” the government so frequently touts means there’s much we can do ourselves to strengthen Alberta’s hand. For now, though, Ottawa’s taking the lead. Article content Noon News Roundup Your weekday lunchtime roundup of curated links, news highlights, analysis and features. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content Earlier this month, Ottawa moved to streamline assessments by exempting pipelines and other energy projects from the Impact Assessment Act. That means eliminating what was seen as redundant reviews, and hopefully reducing costs and accelerating approvals. Article content And just last week was the big one: the new Productivity Mega Deduction. Essentially, it halves Canada’s overall marginal effective tax rate on new business investment, offering the lowest effective rate of any major economy. Article content Alberta obviously stands to benefit from these announcements, and — coupled with the looming pipeline announcement — this will all go a long way in demonstrating that better is possible. Article…