To understand today's headlines, we must look at yesterday's decisions. The revelation that Trump administration officials held three secret meetings with Alberta separatist leaders since April 2025 marks an unprecedented breach in American diplomatic protocol with its closest ally.
According to documents obtained by multiple Canadian media outlets, U.S. State Department officials met repeatedly in Washington with representatives of the "Alberta Prosperity Project," an ultra-right separatist group seeking provincial independence from Canada. The group requested a $500 billion line of credit to fund the province should an independence referendum succeed.
Jeff Rath, the group's legal counsel, claimed in statements that "the US is extremely enthusiastic about a free and independent Alberta." However, a State Department spokesperson characterized the meetings as "routine" engagement with civil society groups, insisting "no commitments were made."
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's office denied awareness of any credit proposal, though officials declined to confirm or deny whether such discussions occurred at lower levels.
The meetings represent a significant escalation in what Canadian officials are increasingly characterizing as American interference in domestic affairs. Gil McGowan, president of the Alberta Federation of Labour, warned of coordinated "foreign interference," citing social media campaigns and bot activity targeting Albertans with separatist messaging.
Prime Minister Mark Carney's office declined to comment directly on the meetings, though sources close to the government described them as "deeply concerning" and a violation of longstanding norms between Washington and Ottawa.
Alberta, with a population of five million, has long harbored a marginal independence movement fueled by resentment over federal energy policy and equalization payments to other provinces. Recent polling suggests approximately 30% support separation, though the movement lacks the historical depth of Quebec's sovereignty campaign.
The revelation comes as U.S.-Canadian relations face unprecedented strain. President Trump has threatened 25% tariffs on Canadian goods and made repeated suggestions about Canada becoming "the 51st state." Last week, he threatened 50% tariffs on Canadian aircraft, specifically targeting Quebec-based Bombardier.
British Columbia Premier David Eby called the American engagement with separatists "treason" against Canadian unity, while Ontario officials privately expressed alarm at what they view as a coordinated destabilization campaign.
For observers of North American relations, the meetings recall Cold War-era Soviet attempts to exploit Quebec separatism—though never before has Washington played such a role against its NATO ally and largest trading partner. The precedent, if confirmed and repeated, fundamentally alters the architecture of North American security and cooperation that has underpinned continental stability since 1945.
