US official’s Alberta comments add fuel to separatist debate

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has commented on the independence movement in Alberta, describing the western Canadian province as a “natural partner for the US” amid growing political and economic frictions between Washington and Ottawa.

Speaking on January 22 in an interview with American right-wing commentator Jack Posobiec, Bessent highlighted Alberta’s resource base and long-standing frustrations over export infrastructure.

He said the province possesses abundant natural resources but has been prevented from building a pipeline to the Pacific coast. In that context, he suggested that Alberta’s resources could instead flow south, adding that the province would be a natural partner for the United States. Bessent also described Albertans as highly independent-minded people.

His remarks come at a time of strained US–Canada relations and as activists in Alberta are gathering signatures to force a referendum on whether the province should remain part of Canada. During the same interview, Bessent referred to reports that a vote on Alberta’s future within the country could take place.

Organisers of the referendum effort have until May to collect at least 178,000 signatures—equivalent to 10 per cent of eligible voters—to trigger a province-wide vote.

Asked on Friday about Bessent’s comments, Canada’s federal Finance Minister, Francois-Philippe Champagne, dismissed the suggestion, saying he would respond with “thanks but no thanks” and stressing that Canada would pursue its own course. Champagne said Canadians are fully capable of developing their natural resources domestically and pointed to a recent agreement between Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta that opens the way for an oil pipeline to the Pacific. The project has long been sought by Canada’s oil-producing regions, although it continues to face major regulatory and political obstacles.

A spokesperson for Alberta Premier Danielle Smith told the BBC that the provincial government supports new pipeline projects in all directions—west, east, north and south—and will continue working with US partners to expand pipeline capacity serving US markets. At the same time, the spokesperson emphasised that the premier believes the vast majority of Albertans have no interest in becoming a US state.

Opposition to the independence push has also been visible. Late last year, more than 430,000 people signed a petition supporting a united Canada, and opinion polls indicate that most Albertans want to remain within the country. Many supporters of independence have likewise told media outlets that their goal is sovereignty from Canada, not integration with the United States.

Mitch Sylvestre, who is leading the referendum petition campaign, told CBC on Friday that he does not believe anyone involved in the movement is seeking closer political alignment with the US. He said Bessent’s description of Alberta and the United States as “natural partners” was self-evident given the deep energy trade between the two countries.

Nevertheless, some organisers associated with the movement have acknowledged travelling to Washington to meet officials from the Trump administration.

The comments also come as broader US–Canada relations remain tense. Trade negotiations between the two countries are currently stalled, and President Donald Trump has openly criticised Prime Minister Carney following a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos in which Carney accused major powers of weaponising economic influence. Trump responded in his own Davos remarks by saying that Canada “lives because of the United States,” addressing Carney directly.

Other senior US officials have echoed that criticism. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick this week accused Canada of arrogance and said Carney’s Davos speech was aimed at domestic audiences by adopting an anti-US tone.