Prime Minister Mark Carney has issued an unambiguous demand that the United States respect Canadian sovereignty, responding to revelations that American government officials have been holding meetings with separatist groups from Alberta. Speaking to reporters Thursday after meeting with provincial leaders, Carney declared his expectation that the US Administration will honor Canada’s territorial integrity, adding that he has consistently communicated this position directly to President Donald Trump in their bilateral discussions.
The diplomatic tensions escalated following a Financial Times report exposing the meetings between Alberta independence activists and US officials. Despite the State Department’s acknowledgment of these sessions, accompanied by assurances that they represent routine civil society engagement without any commitments, the disclosure has intensified concerns about potential American interference in Canadian political processes. The incident has added another layer of complexity to an already challenging relationship between the North American neighbors.
In Alberta, separatist organizers are actively gathering signatures to force a referendum on provincial independence this fall. Premier Danielle Smith, who appeared alongside Carney at the press conference, revealed that support for sovereignty stands at approximately 30% among Albertans. She directed criticism at former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, arguing that his government’s decade of policies created deep alienation in the province. Smith contrasted this with improved relations since Carney assumed the prime ministership.
Jeff Rath, leading the separatist movement, has been remarkably transparent about his group’s American engagement, informing the Globe and Mail that they have established connections at the highest levels of US government and plan to maintain this dialogue with a February return visit. Rath expressed enthusiasm for supportive statements from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who labeled Alberta a natural partner for American interests. British Columbia Premier David Eby took a dramatically different view, comparing the separatists’ actions to treason.
Canada’s separatist challenges extend beyond Alberta to Quebec, where October elections could bring the sovereigntist Parti Quebecois to power. Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon has pledged to hold an independence referendum if elected. Ontario Premier Doug Ford characterized this possibility as a disaster for Canadian unity, while Quebec Premier François Legault maintained that the choice belongs exclusively to Quebec residents. Legault noted that current polling shows low support for both a referendum and separation in the province.