Independence would let Alberta build a Norway-style trillion-dollar wealth fund.
Claimed by: Commonly stated by Alberta independence advocates
Contested: Credible sources disagree, or the outcome depends on events that have not happened yet. How we rate.
Summary
Norway's sovereign wealth fund, partly modelled on Alberta's own Heritage Fund, now exceeds a trillion US dollars, while the Heritage Fund is far smaller. The gap reflects decades of different savings and withdrawal choices, not independence as such; Alberta could have saved more while remaining a province. Whether a separate Alberta would actually save on Norway's scale, while also absorbing new costs of statehood, is unproven, and the comparison is imperfect because Norway is already a country with different tax powers.
Evidence
Norway's fund, partly modelled on the Heritage Fund, now exceeds $1.7 trillion; one estimate found the Heritage Fund would be worth roughly $164 billion had Alberta followed Norway's rules, a choice available within Canada.
Independent modelling finds separation would shrink Alberta's economy and government revenues, working against, not toward, large new savings.