Alberta’s separatist movement has attracted attention from high-ranking figures within the U.S. administration, according to individuals involved in recent discussions in Washington. Earlier this year, Alberta representatives met with officials and were encouraged by comments from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who highlighted the province’s abundant natural resources and suggested that Alberta could be a valuable partner to the United States, especially if pipeline access to the Pacific was improved.
Jeff Rath, a prominent advocate of Alberta independence who participated in the meetings, indicated that the discussions were likely briefed to cabinet-level officials, reflecting a significant degree of interest within the current administration. Rath and fellow separatist strategist Dr. Modry emphasized that while there was no official offer or advocacy for Alberta to become a U.S. state, the concept of independence and stronger bilateral ties was welcomed. They dismissed the notion of statehood as politically and constitutionally unfeasible under current conditions.
Dr. Modry outlined various proposals discussed with U.S. officials, including the possibility of American assistance during Alberta’s transition to independence, financial tools such as swap lines or credit facilities, and the dollarization of Alberta’s economy. One notable suggestion involved constructing new oil pipelines through U.S. territory with royalties paid to the United States—a significant departure from traditional domestic arrangements. Another idea revisited was granting right-of-way for a rail line to Alaska, an infrastructure proposal once endorsed but never realized during the previous Trump administration. Modry framed these options as potential mechanisms for Alberta to “repay” any financial support from the U.S.
A White House spokesperson declined to comment directly on the meetings, noting only that administration officials regularly engage with various civil society groups and that no formal commitments were made.
Outside of the formal meetings, support for Alberta’s independence has surfaced among certain American political and religious figures. Doug Wilson, a Christian nationalist pastor with ties to multiple Alberta congregations, publicly praised the idea. Additionally, Republican state lawmakers and conservative commentators have expressed varying degrees of curiosity about Alberta separatism, with some viewing it as a potential opportunity amid broader geopolitical shifts.
Former Canadian politician Stockwell Day, who engaged with Oklahoma lawmakers on the topic, acknowledged genuine interest in the U.S. regarding Alberta’s future but did not foresee any realistic prospects for annexation or independence. Within Alberta, however, some prominent separatist backers have criticized the outreach efforts to Washington. Calgary oil executive Michael Binnion labeled key figures involved in the U.S. engagement as lacking credibility and downplayed American interest in Alberta sovereignty, describing it as limited to fringe elements rather than mainstream policy.
Despite this skepticism, there is evidence that Washington retains a nuanced understanding of Canadian separatist movements, drawing on historical precedents such as U.S. involvement during Quebec’s 1995 independence referendum. One U.S. official reportedly referenced this history during discussions, signaling institutional awareness of the complexities surrounding Canadian provincial sovereignty.
Former U.S. Army special forces officer Drew Horn, who served in intelligence capacities during the Trump administration, suggested that while Alberta is not a top priority for the White House—especially given ongoing conflicts in the Middle East—it remains a topic of interest. Horn noted that U.S. officials are cautious about overt interference to avoid diplomatic tensions with Canada but acknowledged President Trump’s known willingness to pursue deals that leverage Alberta’s resource wealth.
Overall, while no formal agreements or policy shifts have emerged, Alberta’s separatist movement has found an attentive audience in parts of the U.S. government, highlighting the intersection of regional ambitions, energy geopolitics, and North American relations.