Emboldened by a series of secret meetings with senior Trump administration officials, Canadian separatists in Alberta are doubling down on their push for independence. What this really means is that the fragile unity of Canada could be under threat as the province seeks to capitalize on the growing rift between Ottawa and Washington.
Courting the White House
The Alberta Prosperity Project, a separatist group aiming to break Alberta away from Canada, has met with "very, very senior" Trump officials no fewer than three times in the past nine months, according to reports from the Financial Times. The group is now openly seeking a $500 billion credit line from the U.S. Treasury to help fund the creation of a new country if they are successful in a future referendum.
Tensions Flare
This covert diplomacy has predictably drawn the ire of Canadian leaders. British Columbia Premier David Eby described the separatists' actions as "treason", while Prime Minister Mark Carney said he expects the Trump administration to "respect Canadian sovereignty." The bigger picture here is that the Trump-Carney relationship has been rocky, with Carney recently accusing the U.S. president of creating a "rupture" in the global order.
A Dangerous Game
By aligning with the Alberta separatists, the Trump team is playing a dangerous game that could have far-reaching consequences. Reuters reports that the issue of Albertan independence has periodically fueled secession talk, and this new U.S. involvement risks further inflaming tensions within Canada. As the country navigates sensitive trade talks and debates over national unity, the specter of foreign meddling will only make the path forward more treacherous.