Canada demands US respect sovereignty amid Alberta separatism reports

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has stated that he expects the United States to respect Canadian sovereignty, following reports that US officials held meetings with a separatist group seeking independence for Alberta. Carney made the remarks during a press conference, Reuters reports.

The Financial Times reported that officials from the US State Department had met three times with the Alberta Prosperity Project (APP), an organization advocating for a referendum on whether the energy-rich Western province should break away from Canada.

"We expect the US administration to respect Canadian sovereignty. I'm always clear in my conversations with President Trump to that effect," Carney said. He added that Trump had never raised the question of Alberta separatism with him.

The APP, which argues that federal policies are stifling Alberta, reportedly plans another meeting next month with US State and Treasury officials to request a $500 billion credit facility, according to the Financial Times.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith emphasized that she wants the province to remain part of Canada, though she acknowledged that polls show around 30% of residents are frustrated with what they perceive as excessive federal interference. Smith has also been pressing for a new oil pipeline to the Pacific Coast, a plan blocked by neighboring British Columbia’s Premier David Eby.

Eby, who has a historically tense relationship with Smith, described the APP’s actions as “treason,” stating: "To go to a foreign country and to ask for assistance in breaking up Canada ... is treason."

Last week, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent commented in a radio interview on the matter: "I think we should let them come down into the US" When asked about a potential Alberta referendum, he said: "People want sovereignty. They want what the US has got."

Carney and Trump have exchanged pointed remarks in recent weeks. While Carney has described the US president as a skilled negotiator, he suggested some of Trump’s comments may be connected to the upcoming review of the US-Mexico-Canada trade pact scheduled later this year.

By Vafa Guliyeva