Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has issued a firm message to Washington ๐บ๐ธโก๏ธ๐จ๐ฆ, calling on the US to respect Canadaโs sovereignty after reports surfaced that Alberta separatist groups held meetings with US officials in Washington ๐๏ธ๐ค.
๐ฃ๏ธ Carney said he has been clear with President Trump on this issue, stressing that discussions about Canadaโs future are Canadaโs business alone ๐จ๐ฆ๐. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith echoed this stance, saying any talk of Albertaโs democratic process should be left to Albertans and Canadiansโnot foreign governments ๐๐.
๐ Whatโs Happening?
Alberta separatist groups are currently gathering signatures โ๏ธ๐ for a petition that could eventually trigger a referendum on leaving Canada. According to the Financial Times, some of these groups met US officials, sparking backlash from Canadian leaders ๐ก๐ฅ.
๐ฅ Strong Reactions Across Canada
British Columbia Premier David Eby slammed the meetings, calling foreign involvement in breaking up Canada โtreasonโ ๐จ๐จ๐ฆ.
Separatist supporter Jeffrey Rath, co-founder of the Alberta Prosperity Project, dismissed the criticism and said the meetings were โfact-findingโ only ๐๐ค.
A White House official later clarified that no support or commitments were offered ๐คทโโ๏ธโ.
๐ข๏ธ Why Alberta?
Albertaโs frustration with Ottawa has been simmering for years, especially over energy development and pipeline restrictions โฝ๐ง. Even US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent weighed in, suggesting Alberta could be a โnatural partnerโ for the US due to its vast resources ๐ข๏ธ๐ค๐บ๐ธโa comment that further fueled controversy ๐ฅ.
๐ What Do Albertans Think?
Polls show about 30% would support starting the separation process ๐๐
But around 20% say it would be symbolic, a protest vote rather than a real push to leave ๐ค๐ณ๏ธ
Meanwhile, over 430,000 Canadians signed a petition last year in support of a united Canada โค๏ธ๐จ๐ฆ
๐ค Looking Ahead
Canadian premiers are meeting in Ottawa ahead of critical USโCanadaโMexico trade talks ๐๐. While Premier Smith says she wonโt demonize separatist supporters, she emphasized the need to give Albertans hope within Canada ๐ฑ๐ค.
๐ Bottom Line:
Despite rising noise around separatism, most leadersโand many citizensโbelieve Alberta will remain part of Canada ๐จ๐ฆโจ. As New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt put it, the movement represents a vocal minority, not the heart of Alberta ๐ฌโค๏ธ.
๐ The world is watchingโbut Canada is drawing a clear line: its future will be decided at home ๐จ๐ฆ๐ โจ
