British Columbia Premier David Eby has accused separatist activists from Alberta of committing treason after reports emerged of covert meetings between the group and US state department officials under Donald Trump's administration. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Eby said: 'To go to a foreign country and to ask for assistance in breaking up Canada, there's an old-fashioned word for that – and that word is treason.'
The revelations, first detailed by the Financial Times, outline efforts by an increasingly emboldened minority of Albertans who argue that the province's economic woes stem from federal payment structures and an inability to export its vast fossil fuel reserves. Organisers of the Alberta independence movement are currently collecting signatures to trigger a referendum, requiring nearly 178,000 signatures over the coming months.
The group has publicly stated its intention to seek a $500bn credit facility from the US Treasury to fund the creation of a new country if the referendum succeeds. Premier Eby emphasised that while respecting Canadians' right to vote, 'we need to draw the line at people seeking the assistance of foreign countries to break up this beautiful land of ours.'
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who has rejected separation and supports a strong Alberta within a united Canada, faces mounting criticism for recently easing the petition process for referendums. Ontario Premier Doug Ford called on Smith to 'stand up and say enough is enough.'
Last week, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent appeared to support the separatists, telling the conservative website Real America's Voice: 'Albertans are a very independent people… People want sovereignty.' Prominent Indigenous leaders have warned that no secession is possible without consulting treaty holders, whose agreements predate Alberta's creation as a province.
Conflict researcher Thomas Homer-Dixon warned of a 'fifth column' approach, where separatists work with outside forces to destabilise Canada. He cautioned that even a failed referendum could be labelled 'fake' by Trump, potentially leading to US troop movements along the Montana border. 'We need to be planning right now to neutralise this kind of activity,' he said, describing the situation as 'sleepwalking' into a crisis.
