'Expect US To Respect Canadian Sovereignty': Carney After Secret Meeting With Alberta Separatists

Last Updated:January 30, 2026, 10:30 IST

Carney's remarks came after reports of a secret meeting between US officials and a separatist group advocating for the independence of the oil-rich Alberta province.

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney (IMAGE: Reuters)

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he expected the United States to respect Canadian sovereignty after reports surfaced that members of the Trump administration held a secret meeting with a separatist group advocating independence for Canada’s oil-rich province.

A group called the Alberta Prosperity Project (APP) had received approval to collect signatures in support of a referendum seeking to make the western province an independent country. The Financial Times reported that APP leaders have met State Department officials in Washington three times since April.

While speaking to reporters alongside Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, Carney said, “I expect the US administration to respect Canadian sovereignty – I’m always clear with President Trump to that effect."

Meanwhile, Smith also said she “would expect that the US administration would respect Canadian sovereignty," and said she would raise any issues related to referendum meddling with Washington. She reiterated her support for a “sovereign Alberta, within a united Canada", even as she attacked former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for attacking the economy.

Secret Meeting With Trump Officials

The Financial Times reported that US officials held at least three meetings since April 2025 with representatives of the APP, who are collecting signatures for a petition process that could lead to a referendum on leaving Canada.

The group is now seeking another meeting next month, where it plans to pitch a proposed $500 billion credit facility to help finance Alberta in the event an independence referendum, yet to be formally announced, is approved.

Both the US State Department and the White House, however, sought to downplay the significance of the interactions. “The department regularly meets with civil society groups. As is standard in such engagements, no commitments were made," said a State Department spokesperson.

The report followed comments last week from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who appeared supportive of Alberta’s independence push. “I think we should let them come down into the US. Alberta is a natural partner for the US. They have great resources. The Albertans are very independent people," he said in a televised interview.

Outrage In Canada

The meetings led to outrage among Canadian premiers. British Columbia Premier David Eby said that “to go to a country and ask for assistance in breaking up Canada – there’s an old-fashioned word for that, and that word is treason".

However, resentment against Ottawa mounted in Alberta during Trudeau’s regime, in particular over the development of its natural resources. Albertans viewed Trudeau’s climate‑conscious government as hostile to the oil sector that drives their economy and accused him of blocking infrastructure projects.

A recent poll by Ipsos found that around three in 10 Alberta residents would vote to begin the process of separating from Canada. However, New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt said on Thursday that she believed most Albertans want a united Canada.

Danielle Smith, a right-wing oil industry advocate who has visited with President Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, said she would raise any issues related to referendum meddling with Washington. She also accused Justin Trudeau of “relentlessly attacking" Alberta’s economy.

Furthermore, Carney recently signed an agreement with Alberta, opening the door for an oil pipeline to the Pacific. Smith said Carney’s cooperation on the pipeline can help reduce support for independence, although it is opposed by British Columbia and faces significant hurdles.

If campaigners accredited by Elections Alberta collect more than 177,000 verified signatures, the process for holding a referendum on Alberta’s independence could be triggered later this year.

(with inputs from agencies)

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