Alberta Separatists Seek Trump's Ear, Testing U.S.-Canada Ties Amid Sovereignty Fears

Alberta's Secession Bid Draws U.S. Interest, Straining Fragile Canada Relations

OTTAWA — A long-simmering movement for Alberta's independence has erupted into a fresh diplomatic irritant between the United States and Canada, fueled by revelations that U.S. State Department officials have held multiple meetings with separatist leaders.

The disclosure, first reported by the Financial Times, prompted a sharp rebuke from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who publicly urged the Trump administration to "respect Canadian sovereignty." The meetings involved representatives from the Alberta Prosperity Project (APP), a group agitating for a provincial referendum on secession.

According to social media posts by an APP leader, the group's ambitions extend beyond moral support; they plan to seek a staggering $500 billion line of credit from U.S. Treasury officials to bankroll a transition to an independent state.

The White House swiftly moved to downplay the engagements. A senior official told CNN that administration officials routinely meet with a range of civil society groups and that "no support or commitments were conveyed."

Nevertheless, the news has struck a nerve in Ottawa, where the federal government is already navigating a fraught relationship with the Trump administration over tariffs and past rhetorical threats toward Canada. The Premier of British Columbia, David Eby, denounced the Albertan group's outreach to U.S. officials as bordering on "treason."

The Heart of the Discontent

Alberta, a conservative-leaning, energy-rich province roughly the size of Texas, has long harbored a sense of "western alienation." Proponents of independence argue that federal climate policies strangle its vital oil and gas industry, that it contributes more in taxes than it receives, and that its values are marginalized by the more populous and liberal eastern provinces.

"The grievance isn't new, but the political context is," said Michael Solberg, a former political staffer in Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government and now a partner at New West Public Affairs. "The return of a pro-oil U.S. president, combined with perceived federal overreach during the pandemic and beyond, has given this movement a renewed sense of possibility."

That possibility appears to be crystallizing. Shortly after Carney's Liberal government won the 2025 election, Alberta's legislature passed the 'Sovereignty Act,' streamlining the process for holding an independence referendum. While Premier Danielle Smith has stated she does not personally support secession, she has refused to condemn the lobbyists, calling their concerns "legitimate."

The Trump Factor and the 51st State Question

The movement's dynamics have been unmistakably shaped by U.S. politics. At pro-independence rallies, supporters have been seen wearing "Make Alberta Great Again" hats, openly praising former President Trump. While many seek full independence, a vocal faction openly advocates for Alberta to join the United States as the 51st state—a sentiment echoed on billboards funded by groups like "Canadians for the 51st State."

Top Trump officials have offered rhetorical encouragement. In a recent interview, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called Alberta a "natural partner," criticized Canadian pipeline policy, and suggested, "I think we should let them come down into the U.S."

A Rocky Road Ahead

Despite the heated rhetoric, the path to separation is fraught. Polling indicates only a minority of Albertans—around 19% in a January survey—currently support secession. Analysts like Mount Royal University's Professor Lori Williams note that many backing a referendum are "symbolic separatists" seeking leverage against Ottawa rather than actual divorce.

Furthermore, legal and practical hurdles are monumental. "There is no roadmap," Solberg cautioned. "The questions of dividing assets, national debt, and Indigenous treaty rights—which predate the province itself—are unresolved. The economic and legal risks remain immense."

As separatist groups like Stay Free Alberta gather signatures to force a vote, a larger citizen-led petition opposing secession has already garnered over 400,000 names. All signs point to a deeply divisive debate ahead, with profound implications for the future of Confederation.

Sarah Chen, Political Science Student, University of Alberta: "This isn't just about oil. It's about identity and respect. For decades, Ottawa has taken the West for granted. The referendum push is a wake-up call, whether it passes or not."

James O'Reilly, Retired Diplomat, Ottawa: "These meetings were a profound error in judgment by low-level U.S. officials. They play directly into the most paranoid strains of Canadian nationalism and undermine our crucial bilateral relationship at a sensitive time."

Marcus Thorne, Talk Radio Host, Calgary: "It's utter hypocrisy! Ottawa and the eastern elites lecture us on unity while draining our wealth and killing our jobs. If they won't listen, maybe Washington will. Sovereignty is the only answer."

Dr. Amira Patel, Economist, Vancouver: "The $500 billion credit line fantasy reveals the movement's economic illiteracy. Secession would trigger capital flight, currency chaos, and a legal quagmire that would impoverish Albertans for a generation. It's a dangerous pipe dream."