Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney has expressed his expectation that the United States will honor Canada’s sovereignty following reports that Alberta separatists have met multiple times with members of the Donald Trump administration.
According to the Financial Times, US State Department officials have held discussions with the Alberta Prosperity Project (APP), a group advocating for a referendum on whether the energy-rich western province should secede from Canada.
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list of 1 itemend of list During a speech in Ottawa on Thursday, Carney stated that he had been clear with US President Donald Trump regarding this matter. “I expect the US administration to respect Canadian sovereignty,” he mentioned, adding that after discussing this issue, he wanted both parties to concentrate on areas where they could collaborate. Carney himself hails from Alberta, having grown up in Edmonton, the provincial capital. The province has seen an independence movement develop over several decades. Trump has often suggested making Canada the “51st state” of America. Here is what we know: Leaders of the APP are said to have met with US State Department representatives in Washington at least three times since last April. Trump began his second term in January. These meetings have raised alarms in Ottawa about possible US meddling in Canadian domestic issues. This comes after comments made by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent last week, who referred to Alberta as “a natural partner for the US” and commended the province’s resource abundance and “independent” nature during an interview with Real America’s Voice, a right-wing broadcaster. “Alberta has a wealth of natural resources, but they [the Canadian government] won’t let them build a pipeline to the Pacific,” he stated. “I think we should let them come down into the US,” Bessent said during his appearance on air. “There’s a rumour they may have a referendum on whether they want to stay in Canada or not.” When asked if he had insider information about the separation initiative, Bessent replied, “People are talking. People want sovereignty. They want what the US has got.” Following Bessent’s remarks, Jeffrey Rath, one of APP’s leaders, indicated that they plan to seek another meeting with US officials next month where they intend to inquire about a potential $500 billion credit line to support Alberta if there were ever an independence referendum – which hasn’t been scheduled yet. These developments occur at a delicate time for US-Canada relations, as trade tensions remain high and after Carney’s recent address at the World Economic Forum in Davos where he cautioned that Washington was contributing to a “rupture” in global order. Trump has consistently threatened to absorb Canada into his American Union ambitions. His expansionist goals were further highlighted by his recent interest in acquiring Greenland from Denmark-another NATO ally like Canada. Earlier this year, US military actions included attempts related to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and control over Venezuela’s vast oil sector.How have Canadian leaders reacted to the reports?
On Thursday, British Columbia Premier David Eby labeled these reported secret meetings as “treason.” “To go to a foreign country and ask for help breaking up Canada-that’s an old-fashioned term: treason,” Eby told reporters. “It is completely inappropriate seeking assistance from foreign powers aimed at weakening our nation-from someone who hasn’t shown much respect for our sovereignty.” Ontario Premier Doug Ford called for unity among Canadians during Thursday morning remarks. “You know we’ve got some referendums happening out there in Alberta. The separatists in Quebec say they’re going to call their own if elected. Folks need togetherness; it’s Team Canada above all else,” he stated. In contrast, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith noted she wouldn’t vilify those Albertans considering separation due to their legitimate frustrations with Ottawa and emphasized her intent not “to demonize or marginalize one million fellow citizens.” Smith has been openly pro-Trump and visited him at Mar-a-Lago back in January 2025 while many other Canadian leaders criticized Trump’s calls for making Canada part of America. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith [FILE: Todd Korol/Reuters]What do we know about a potential referendum in Alberta?
Frustration towards Ottawa has grown significantly within Alberta over many years primarily due disputes over how federal authorities manage its abundant oil and gas resources. Many Albertans believe federal policies – especially environmental regulations , carbon pricing , along pipeline approvals – restrict their capacity developing exporting energy. As landlocked province , Alberta heavily relies pipelines cooperation neighboring provinces access global markets , rendering federal decisions particularly contentious. Many residents feel their province creates substantial wealth while wielding little influence national decisions-making. For instance , during fiscal year 2024 -25 contributed around 15 % Canada’s GDP even though comprising only roughly 12% population.< img d ata-recalc-dims =" 1 "<loading =" lazy "<class =" size-arc-image-770 wp-image-4275424 "<src = https://ontariochronicle. ca/wp-content/uploads/2026 /01 /2013 -06 -24T120000Z_1580030876_GM1E96P07XF01_RTRMADP_3_CANADA-FLOODS -1769756933. jpg<alt =" A woman crosses an empty downtown street Calgary , Alberta "A woman crosses an empty downtown street Calgary , Alberta[FILE : Andy Clark / Reuters]Recently signed agreement opening doors oil pipeline Pacific however faced opposition by Eby confronting considerable hurdles ahead.< P Recent Ipsos polling indicates approximately three ten Albertans support initiating process separating from Canada. However survey also revealed roughly one five supporters perceived vote leaving mainly symbolic expressing political dissatisfaction instead firm desire independence.< P Referendum regarding independence might occur later year if resident group collects nearly178000 signatures necessary force vote issue however even passage referendum wouldn’t guarantee immediate independence. Under Clarity Act fed gov must first ascertain clarity question result represents decisive majority negotiation issues asset division debts borders indigenous rights would commence only thereafter.< H2 ID=” >What is The ALBERTA Prosperity Project And What Does It Want ?< P ID=The APP is an organization pushing for independence aiming trigger vote leaving Canda.
The organization contends controlling own resources taxes policies would benefit province working gather signatures under citizen initiative guidelines lead vote. While branding itself educational non-partisan project it faced criticism economic viability claims independent ALBERTA
The APP website asserts,”ALBERTA SOVEREIGNTY CONTEXT RELATIONSHIP WITH CANADA REFERS ASPIRATION GAIN GREATER AUTONOMY CONTROL PROVINCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES”
“However economic political cultural human rights factors.. have led many define ‘ALBERTA SOVEREIGNTY’ MEAN INDEPENDENT COUNTRY TAKING CONTROL ALL MATTERS FALL JURISDICTION AN INDEPENDENT NATION”, adds.
<h2 id="” >What Else Has WASHINGTON Said ?<P DATA_START=<148 DATA_END=<WHITE HOUSE STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS TOLD FT ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS REGULARLY MEET CIVIL SOCIETY GROUPS NO SUPPORT COMMITMENTS CONVEYED. < P A REPORT BY CANADA PUBLIC BROADCASTER CBC THIS YEAR QUOTED NATIONAL SECURITY ANALYST BRANDON WEICHERT SAYING TRUMPS TALK CANADA BECOMING THE 51ST STATE ACTUALLY AIMED AT ALBERTA.</<P APPEARING SHOW HOSTED FORMER TRUMP CHIEF STRATEGIST STEVE BANDON WEICHERT SUGGESTED VOTE FOR INDEPENDENCE ALBERTA WOULD PROMPT U. S RECOGNIZE PROVINCE GUIDE TOWARDS STATEHOOD< h2 id="” >Has THE TRUMP Administration TRIED THIS ELSEWHERE ?<P YES GREENLAND.< P LIKE CANADA TRUMP HAS CALLED GREENLAND INCORPORATED INTO U. S HIS THREATS ANNEX GREENLAND MET STRONG OPPOSITION GOVERNMENT ARCTIC ISLAND DENMARK GOVERN GRENELAND EUROPE< P HOWEVER WITH ALBERTA'S ADMINISTRATION ATTEMPT TEST SEPARATIST SENTIMENT AUGUST DANEISH GOV SUMMONED TOP DIPLOMAT COPENHAGEN AFTER DANISH BROADCAST REPORTED THREE OF TRUMP ALLIES STARTED PUTTING TOGETHER LIST GREENLANDERS SUPPORTIVE PRESIDENT'S EFFORT JOIN UNITED STATES.Source link
