Liberal MP Corey Hogan says Quebec’s election result underscores the need for federal and provincial governments to co-operate, as Alberta heads toward an Oct. 19 referendum that will put separation at the centre of debate. In an interview with CTV News Edmonton’s Alberta Primetime, Hogan said the Quebec result does not offer a direct comparison for Alberta, but points to the value of governments working together on shared priorities.

The interview was conducted by Michael Higgins ahead of the Quebec election’s implications for federal-provincial relations and Alberta’s referendum. CTV said the interview was edited for length and clarity. Hogan, who represents a Calgary riding, discussed national unity, turnout in the Alberta vote, reports of contact between separatist figures and U.S. officials, and the possible economic consequences of a vote in favour of holding a binding independence referendum.

Asked how the Quebec election could change Ottawa’s relationship with the province, Hogan said a change in government naturally brings different priorities and focus. He said there would nevertheless be common ground on strengthening Canada, building industry at home and diversifying trade.

“The premier-designate put it well: We’re all in the same boat,” Hogan said. “There are things that we need to accomplish as Canadians, as Quebecers, and many of those things are the same things.”

Hogan said Prime Minister Mark Carney had set a constructive tone for co-operative federalism, while cautioning that co-operation would not prevent disagreements or difficult periods. “But we’ll work through it as Canadians, as we always have,” he said.

He described Quebec’s election results as diverse and noted that the governing party received less than 30 per cent of the vote. In his view, that result means political actors will have to work together. Hogan said the outcome did not necessarily send Albertans a specific message because the two situations involve different circumstances and variables.

“If there’s a comparison to draw, it’s just that it reinforces the need for federal governments to work cooperatively with provinces and get big things done,” he said.

Higgins asked what Hogan was most concerned about in Alberta: direct support for independence or voters using the referendum to send a message to the federal government. Hogan said both concerns deserved attention, but focused on whether supporters of Canada would turn out to vote.

“One of them is: if everybody shows up, we know what the result will be,” he said. “We know that Albertans are proud Canadians, and we know that’s going to be reflected on referendum day on Oct. 19.”

He urged people to vote and warned against staying home because of a perceived inconvenience. Hogan said voters could regret not participating if they later wished they had helped settle the question. He added that some voters might use a separatist vote to express dissatisfaction with government, and said the response should be to focus on governing and delivering results.

“The best defence for this country, whether it be in Quebec or Alberta, is the country working and getting those big things done that we were elected to do,” Hogan said.

Hogan also said he expected Carney to speak publicly before the Oct. 19 vote. Higgins asked whether the prime minister would return to Alberta to address separation directly. Hogan noted that Carney grew up in Edmonton and has deep ties to the province.

“The prime minister is a proud Albertan. He grew up in Edmonton. He certainly has deep, deep ties to the province,” Hogan said. “I’m certain that we’ll be hearing from the prime minister before the Oct. 19 vote, as we’ve heard from him already. But I expect more.”

The interview also addressed Globe and Mail investigative reporting about separatist leaders meeting with U.S. State Department officials in Washington, and a Republican political operative travelling to Alberta. Asked whether the federal government should summon the U.S. ambassador to Canada, Hogan said he would interpret the reported meetings cautiously, drawing on his experience in government roles beyond his current position.

“Sometimes somebody says, ‘Hey, can you take a meeting with somebody?’ And then you take that meeting, and that meeting goes in ways that you didn’t expect,” he said. Hogan added that he did not think the statements of separatists, whom he characterized as not always reliable, should be taken as definitive accounts of what happened.

He said no laws were currently being broken, based on the information available to him, but raised the question of whether rules should address people informally discussing what a hypothetical independent country might trade away to another country. Hogan did not say that calling in the U.S. ambassador would be appropriate.

“I think asking questions like, ‘Hey, what happened here?’ is certainly appropriate, and I certainly know those inquiries have occurred,” he said.

Hogan said political operatives have travelled both from Canada to the United States and from the United States to Canada, describing such movement as common. He said local laws must be followed, including rules on data security, an issue that has prompted questions. He also pointed to requirements for registration as relevant registries are launched and their requirements take shape.

Higgins asked what would happen to the Alberta government’s support for Pacific Link if voters backed moving toward a binding referendum on independence. Hogan shifted the focus to the province’s economic prospects, citing a chamber’s statement that 75 per cent of businesses would look to reduce their presence in Alberta under such circumstances.

Hogan said a separation process would be damaging at a time when Alberta is seeking investment to advance major projects. He said Pacific Link would require substantial capital, and argued that uncertainty could make investors reluctant to commit. “Nobody likes risk,” he said, presenting that as an economic case against pursuing independence.

He also made a broader case for Canada that went beyond economic considerations, describing the country as an important presence in the world and in people’s lives. Hogan referred to ancestors who fought and died under the Canadian flag and to what the country has built, saying those considerations should also be on voters’ minds when they cast ballots.

“There’s compelling arguments, but it’s the emotional pull of this place as well,” he said. “It’s the fact that our ancestors have fought and died under this flag. It’s the fact that we have built something here that is truly remarkable when you look around the world.”

Based on reporting by CTV News Edmonton.