Carney Says U.S. Must Respect Canada's Sovereignty Amid Separatism Row

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Thursday that he expects the United States administration to respect Canada’s sovereignty, responding to reports that U.S. officials met with activists promoting Alberta separatism.

Speaking in Ottawa, Carney said he had made Canada’s position clear to the Donald Trump administration and added that the issue of Alberta separatism had never been raised directly in his discussions with the U.S. president. Canada’s territorial integrity, he said, is not open to negotiation.

The comments followed a Reuters report that officials from the U.S. State Department held several meetings with representatives of the Alberta Prosperity Project, a group campaigning for a referendum on whether the oil-rich western province should leave Canada. 

• Carney warns U.S. to respect Canada’s sovereignty amid Alberta separatism row
• Canada rejects U.S. contact with Alberta separatist activists, says Carney
• Alberta separatism adds strain to already tense U.S.–Canada relations

According to the report, the group has argued that federal policies are harming Alberta’s economy and has sought U.S. backing for its plans.

Carney said any engagement by foreign governments with movements seeking to break up Canada was inappropriate. He stressed that relations between Canada and the United States are based on mutual respect and non-interference in domestic political matters.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said she supports Alberta remaining within Canada but acknowledged that dissatisfaction with Ottawa runs deep in the province. She has previously said a significant share of Albertans feel the federal government has overreached on issues such as energy policy and taxation.

Reaction elsewhere in Canada was sharper. British Columbia Premier David Eby criticised any attempt to seek foreign support for secession, saying such actions crossed a serious line.

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The dispute adds to existing strains in U.S.–Canada relations, which have included trade disagreements and uncertainty ahead of a planned review of the North American trade pact. Carney said Canada would continue to defend its national interests while working to maintain a stable relationship with Washington.