an oil refinery in Alberta

Members of Donald Trump’s administration held meetings with far-right Canadian separatists pushing for Alberta’s secession, triggering outrage in Ottawa and accusations of U.S. political interference. The talks, confirmed by the U.S. State Department and White House, come amid already strained U.S.-Canada relations over trade disputes, NATO tensions, and Trump’s past remarks about making Canada the “51st state.”

According to reports, State Department officials met in 2025 with representatives of the Alberta Prosperity Project (APP), a right-wing group advocating for Alberta’s independence from Canada. A Financial Times report claimed the group discussed seeking a $500 billion line of credit from the U.S. Treasury after a potential independence referendum. U.S. officials acknowledged the meetings but stressed that no commitments were made.

Canadian leaders reacted sharply. Prime Minister Mark Carney demanded that Washington “respect Canadian sovereignty” and stay out of the Alberta independence movement. British Columbia Premier David Eby went further, calling such outreach “the definition of treason” if separatists sought foreign backing to break up Canada.

The APP has denied key elements of the Financial Times report. CEO Mitch Sylvestre told The Independent that his group never proposed a $500 billion credit line and lacks authority to negotiate such funding. He accused Carney’s Liberal Party and other critics of exaggerating the meetings to portray the movement as an effort to join the United States rather than establish an independent Alberta.

The separatist campaign centers on Alberta’s oil and gas sector, arguing Ottawa unfairly restricts provincial economic growth. The APP also criticizes federal support for what it calls “wokeness,” cancel culture, and immigration policies. Sylvestre has expressed support for “Replacement Theory” and advocated limiting citizenship grants to people born in Canada.

The broader context includes deteriorating U.S.-Canada trade ties and concerns over Ottawa’s potential trade agreement with China. Trump has warned of a “very substantial response,” including possible 100% tariffs, if Canada deepens economic ties with Beijing. Sylvestre has echoed scepticism about closer Canada-China relations.

The APP says it is gathering signatures ahead of a May 6 deadline to trigger a referendum process. If the threshold is met, Alberta’s premier will decide whether to hold a vote.

The episode underscores mounting tension between Washington and Ottawa as Trump’s second term reshapes U.S. foreign policy norms.

Key Takeaways

• U.S. officials confirmed meetings with Alberta separatists amid rising U.S.-Canada tensions.

• Canadian leaders accused the movement of seeking foreign interference and labeled it “treason.”

• The Alberta Prosperity Project denies plans to seek U.S. funding or join America as a 51st state.

Far-right Canadians meet with Trump on secession behind Carney’s back

Totally disgusting.

That's arguably an act of war.

Just how bad does a president have to be to make a major enemy out of a closest friend?

11 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

That's arguably an act of war.

Just how bad does a president have to be to make a major enemy out of a closest friend?

More certainly an act of treachery

4 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

More certainly an act of treachery

Yet another case of how low can he go being always lower.

Also, people still supporting him are complicit.

4 hours ago, Jingthing said:

That's arguably an act of war.

Just how bad does a president have to be to make a major enemy out of a closest friend?

The better question is why so many Albertans no longer want to be Canadians.

BTW, if Canadian leaders want to discuss a trade for Minnesota, I'd be fine with that. Even Minnesota, New York and Maine...

Alberta is the most prosperous province?

That will seriously mess up Canada and cause a ripple effect.

Canada would probably not survive and other provinces would secede?

2 hours ago, impulse said:

The better question is why so many Albertans no longer want to be Canadians.

So how many are we talking about in relation to Alberta's number of inhabitants?

3 hours ago, impulse said:

The better question is why so many Albertans no longer want to be Canadians.

BTW, if Canadian leaders want to discuss a trade for Minnesota, I'd be fine with that. Even Minnesota, New York and Maine...

Not that many. Lots on noise but only from a relative few out in the boonies. The 2 major cities with most of the population are against it. Nowhere near enough to pass. I'll be voting against it as I'll be there for the referendum.

They're looking at charging the Canadians involved in this with treason.

British Columbian here. We could easily do without Alberta--and they'll be bankrupt paying for the cleanup when they leave. BC would shut down Alberta's pipelines. Let them pollute the US.

Don't let the door hit ya on the way out, Redneck.

Here is AI:

So Canada would need to import its oil.

But currently having bad relationship with US, so from where?

Oil dependence is not a good thing, as EU has been.

45 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

British Columbian here. We could easily do without Alberta--and they'll be bankrupt paying for the cleanup when they leave. BC would shut down Alberta's pipelines. Let them pollute the US.

Don't let the door hit ya on the way out, Redneck.

I'm was born there and call it North Tennessee. Every time I'm back when I get off the plane I hear dueling banjos playing in my head. If I believed in god I'd I'd say thank god I got away.

1 hour ago, gargamon said:

I'm was born there

maybe you were born in a hick town, but there's a reason a lot of chinese well off folks relocate to vancouver. it's a great city, albeit partly ruined by all the druggies.

41 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

maybe you were born in a hick town, but there's a reason a lot of chinese well off folks relocate to vancouver. it's a great city, albeit partly ruined by all the druggies.

And I'm from one of the major cities in Alberta. And it's still an inbred hick town

HongCouver it's called. The Chinese with money invaded from Hong Kong before they lost the island to mainland China in 1999(?) and drove real estate prices through the roof.

And I'm from one of the major cities in Alberta. And it's still a hick town.

Yeah, my kids will never be able to afford their own home.

4 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Yeah, my kids will never be able to afford their own home.

Jobs for life will be few and far between.

Being tied down to one place and in a long-term mortgage is getting riskier.

Maybe they can work online and do some digital nomad work in different countries.