Alberta’s Independence Sentiment Gains Attention

“People are talking. They want sovereignty, something akin to what the United States has,” commented US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. His remarks drew significant attention to the ongoing movement for sovereignty in Alberta.

Many in Alberta are actively signing petitions for a referendum on secession, and proponents of the movement believe that the current U.S. administration is quite open to discussions about Alberta’s aspirations.

According to members of the Alberta Prosperity Project, they’ve met a few times with associates of President Trump’s administration, which has fueled their optimism.

Bessent Critiques Carney

Bessent’s statements surfaced while he critiqued Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s participation at the recent World Economic Forum in Davos. Carney had asserted that the Trump administration posed risks to global trade dynamics.

Bessent disagreed, suggesting that Carney’s political experience indicates a globalist agenda. “He put on a facade for a while but is really just a globalist,” he said, referring to Carney’s time with the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England.

Concerns Over Canadian Relations

Further, he criticized Carney’s recent interactions with the Chinese government, calling into question the alignment of values between Canada and China.

Focusing on Alberta, Bessent pointed out the province’s wealth in natural resources and the delay of key infrastructure projects. He believes there should be a pathway for Alberta to connect with the U.S., recognizing it as a “natural partner.” He mentioned hearing rumors about a potential independence referendum from Alberta.

Growing Support for Independence

Jeffrey Russ from the Alberta Prosperity Project remarked that Bessent’s comments align with what Alberta’s sovereignty advocates have been discussing privately with U.S. officials. “This stems from discussions we had in Washington, D.C.,” he noted, expressing that the Americans seem willing to support a pipeline project linking Alberta to the U.S. West Coast.

Russ contrasted this with Carney’s recent visit to China, suggesting that Carney disregarded alliances that could strengthen Canada’s position in favor of relationships with China.

Bessent’s Influence

Russ further emphasized Bessent’s significant influence within the U.S. political landscape. “He could change U.S. policy toward Canada, which could lead to serious economic repercussions for Canada,” he explained, noting the implications of Bessent mentioning the possibility of an Alberta referendum.

He highlighted the evident public support for the independence petition, citing long lines of people waiting to sign in cold weather, showing an aligned philosophical stance with the U.S. “They see Alberta as a great partner,” he concluded.