Calgary city council has endorsed a pro-unity motion put forward by Mayor Jeromy Farkas, citing economic impact as the driving force behind staying in Canada.

The urgent notice of motion, co-sponsored by Ward 3 Coun. Andrew Yule, was added to Calgary city council’s Regular Meeting of Council agenda on Sept. 22, and called for city council to affirm Calgary’s place as a vital part of Alberta and Canada.

Mayor Farkas had hinted that either an urgent notice of motion would be put forward or a special meeting of council would be called to address the separation issue well in advance of the Alberta referendum vote on Oct. 19.

The motion passed without debate, after a motion from Ward 2 Coun. Jennifer Wyness to close debate on the item.

Within the motion, there were several references to the potential economic impact on Calgary, and thus the Municipal Government Act references to a municipality’s role in protecting its own economic interests.

Outside Calgary city council, Mayor Farkas said that it was time for city council to stand up and be counted.

“We have so much at risk when it comes to the separation debate. We’ve already seen great economic damage. We’ve seen businesses not choosing Calgary for talent and capital. We’ve seen threats against our newcomer immigrant communities,” he said.

“We’ve had debates at family dinner tables about what it means to be a real Canadian or not, or a real Albertan or not.”

Polling done earlier this year suggested that Calgarians were among the most ardent supporters of a united Canada, with 76 per cent saying they would vote no to continuing the path to separation in the upcoming referendum.

Not everyone agreed with the motion, with Ward 12 Coun. Mike Jamieson voting against the motion.  Jamieson declined comment before the motion came forward but intended to speak on it in the afternoon.

The ABC Party he ran for in the last municipal election, however, put out a statement over the weekend. They said a person can hold their own personal beliefs but should exercise caution when using the office to advance a position on a divisive matter.

“Calgarians need their Mayor and Council focused on Calgary,” said ABC President Marilyn Elliott.

“Families are concerned about affordability, businesses are concerned about operating costs, and communities expect reliable infrastructure and essential services. These are the issues City Hall has the responsibility and authority to address.”

Budget impact at the forefront: Coun. Wyness

Last week, the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy put out an independent review of the cost of separation, pegging it at between $50 billion and $170 billion in the first five years alone to start a new country.

That didn’t account for any of the economic losses that might come with instability and uncertainty in a new country. Previously, the Calgary Chamber of Commerce put out survey results that suggested nearly half of Calgary small businesses would consider a move from the province if separation moved ahead.

Coun. Wyness said that having city council debate the matter was unfortunate.

“It’s something that most Calgarians have said they want to remain in Canada. I continue to talk with my community, and yeah, there are grievances with the federal government, but having a temper tantrum and threatening to leave is not a way to resolve it,” she said.

“I think we need to make our case and continue to advocate. It didn’t work for Quebec, and it’s not going to work for Alberta.”

Wyness called it a grey area, in terms of diving into provincial political debates and protecting Calgary’s budget.

“We’re in this gray area because the decision will have massive impacts on funding that comes to the city. Will the new country of Alberta actually fill that financial gap for all municipalities in this province? No one’s really even talking about that, and that’s going to put a big hole in our budget and will drive up taxes for Calgarians on your properties to fill that gap.”

Ward 14 Coun. Landon Johnston, who voted in favour of the motion, said it’s just another performance by Mayor Farkas to divide Calgarians.

“Everybody kind of knows where this vote’s going, anyways. We could be more focused on the budget right now,” he said.

As for the potential economic impacts, Johnston is unsure.

“I listen to the same experts as everybody else does, but in the end, our roads are still going to have to be fixed, and that’s what I want to focus on right now.”