A group of far-right Canadian separatists advocating for the oil-rich province of Alberta to secede from Canada has disclosed secret meetings with senior Trump administration officials. The Alberta Prosperity Project aims to hold a referendum on Alberta's independence this year.
According to reports in the Financial Times and on NBC, the group discussed with officials from the US State and Treasury departments the mechanics of breaking away, including adopting the US dollar and creating a new military force. A fourth meeting is planned to further discuss transition arrangements.
Dennis Modry, a co-founder of the Alberta Prosperity Project, said the group was informed that the entire US administration supports Alberta becoming a sovereign country. However, a new poll indicates that most Canadians view such negotiations as tantamount to treason.
The meetings come amid high tensions between the US and Canada, with Prime Minister Mark Carney speaking of a “rupture” in the world order. President Donald Trump has repeatedly suggested the US should make Canada its 51st state, a threat former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described as “real”.
US officials played down the discussions, describing them as involving lower-level staff with no commitments made. A senior State Department official said no further meetings are expected. Former diplomats, speaking anonymously, criticised the engagement as “irresponsible”.
Prime Minister Carney has stated he expects the US administration to respect Canadian sovereignty.
