CALGARY – There was “more alignment” than expected with federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau at a pre-budget roundtable with the Business Council of Alberta on Thursday, according to the group’s president.

But economic fear that has boosted separatist sentiment in Alberta will likely continue until residents start to see the benefits of completed pipeline expansions and hear strong support – or even pride – from Ottawa for the Canadian energy sector, added Adam Legge.

“I think there’s a perception across the country that it’s Alberta versus the rest of Canada and that the interests are very divergent,” he told reporters after the roundtable, which was held behind closed doors in downtown Calgary.

“I can tell you that from the business perspectives around the room, there is quite a bit of alignment.”

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