Alberta separatist group confirms U.S. meetings, declines to name Trump-era officials

The Alberta Prosperity Project (APP), which advocates provincial independence, acknowledged at least three meetings in Washington since April 2025, according to reporting by the Financial Times.

APP legal adviser Jeffrey Rath, who attended the meetings, told CTV News that the discussions involved “very high-level” U.S. officials who would be recognisable to Canadians.

Rath said President Trump was not directly involved and ruled out participation by senior White House adviser Stephen Miller.

Rath said the officials were senior enough to “walk directly into the Oval Office”.

A U.S. State Department spokesperson described the meetings as routine engagements with civil society groups and said no commitments were made.

Speaking on CTV’s Question Period, Rath said the group is exploring the feasibility of a proposed US$500 billion credit line to support Alberta in the event of independence.

He dismissed parts of the Financial Times report as “fake news” but confirmed contacts with the State Department.

The Financial Times, citing unnamed sources, reported that APP also sought meetings with U.S. Treasury and State Department officials in February to advance the proposal.

Rath said the group has developed a “much stronger relationship” with the Trump administration than with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Political reaction in Canada

The outreach drew criticism from Canadian leaders. British Columbia Premier David Eby described the effort as “treason” while speaking at a first ministers’ meeting in Ottawa.

Prime Minister Carney said Canada expects respect for its sovereignty but stopped short of calling the meetings foreign interference, emphasising the importance of maintaining stable bilateral relations with Washington.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has previously referred to Alberta as a “natural partner” for expanding oil exports, comments that separatist advocates have cited as supportive.

Referendum plans

The Alberta Prosperity Project aims to collect between 177,000 and 178,000 signatures by May 2026 to trigger a provincial referendum on independence.

Rath said the group’s U.S. outreach reflects standard efforts to assess international financing options, arguing that “no jurisdiction operates in isolation.”