Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has issued a firm demand for the United States to respect Canada's sovereignty, responding to emerging reports that officials from President Donald Trump's administration have held multiple meetings with an Alberta separatist group. This diplomatic tension follows recent remarks by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who described Albertans as "very independent people," adding fuel to concerns about external interference in Canadian domestic affairs.
Carney's Clear Message to Washington
Prime Minister Carney emphasized his expectations during a statement, declaring, "I expect the US administration to respect Canadian sovereignty. I'm always clear with President Trump to that effect." This strong stance comes amid revelations that representatives from the Alberta Prosperity Project, a separatist organization, have met with Washington state officials three times since April 2025, as reported by The Financial Times.
Provincial Leadership Weighs In
On Thursday, Carney convened with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and British Columbia Premier David Eby ahead of a provincial leaders' meeting scheduled for Friday in Ottawa. Premier Smith echoed Carney's sentiments, stating she "would expect that the US administration would respect Canadian sovereignty" and vowed to address any concerns about referendum meddling directly with Washington.
Smith reaffirmed her position supporting a "sovereign Alberta, within a united Canada," while suggesting that Carney's cooperation on advancing a new oil pipeline to the Pacific coast could potentially diminish support for independence movements in the resource-rich province.
US Officials Downplay Meetings
In response to inquiries about these engagements, a US State Department official characterized the meetings as routine, telling AFP news agency, "The Department regularly meets with civil society types. As is typical in routine meetings such as these, no commitments were made." This attempt to normalize the interactions has done little to alleviate Canadian concerns about sovereignty violations.
Bessent's Controversial Comments
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent further complicated matters during an interview with Real America's Voice last week, where he remarked, "Alberta is a natural partner for the US. They have great resources. The Albertans are very independent people." These comments have been interpreted by some as tacit support for Alberta's independence aspirations, raising questions about US intentions toward Canadian territorial integrity.
Broader Implications for Canada-US Relations
This developing situation highlights growing tensions between the two North American neighbors, with sovereignty concerns taking center stage. The repeated meetings between US officials and Alberta separatists, combined with high-level comments from both Canadian and American leadership, suggest a potentially significant shift in diplomatic dynamics that could impact cross-border cooperation on energy, trade, and security matters.
As provincial leaders gather in Ottawa, the focus remains on maintaining national unity while addressing legitimate regional concerns. The outcome of these discussions may determine whether Alberta's independence movement gains momentum or recedes in the face of strengthened federal-provincial collaboration on economic initiatives like pipeline development.
