Canada Urges US to Respect Sovereignty
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has said the United States must respect Canada’s sovereignty after reports that U.S. officials met with members of an Alberta separatist group advocating for independence for the western province. Carney made the comments at a press briefing with provincial leaders in Ottawa.
Alberta Separatist Meetings Draw Criticism
Reports indicate representatives of the Alberta Prosperity Project (APP) met with U.S. State Department officials in Washington several times, discussing the group’s goals and possible future plans for a referendum on Alberta’s independence. Canadian leaders criticised the meetings as inappropriate engagement in Canada’s internal affairs. British Columbia’s premier called seeking foreign support for separation “treason,” and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said decisions on the province’s future belong to Canadians.
Carney’s Message to Washington
Carney said he has stressed to the U.S. administration that discussions about Alberta’s future should involve Canadians alone and that the United States must not interfere in domestic political processes. He added that the issue of Alberta separatism has not been raised directly in his own talks with U.S. President Donald Trump.
