BC Premier calls meeting between Alberta separatists, Trump officials ‘treason’
British Columbia’s premier made shocking comments about Alberta’s separatist movement ahead of Thursday’s first ministerial meeting in Ottawa.
David Eby said that the reported meetings between the different leaders and the officials of the US Treasury to talk about the separation are “akin to “treason.”
“I understand the desire to hold a referendum, to talk about the issues we want to talk about in Canada. We have free speech, so that’s important. But going to another country to ask for help to break up Canada. There’s an old word for that, and that word is treason,” said Eby, who was among the prime ministers who spoke to the media before their meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Eby has been at odds with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith over her desire for a new oil pipeline from Alberta to BC’s north coast.
The report of the Financial Times, citing sources familiar with these discussions, reports that the leaders of the Alberta Prosperity Project, the group that leads this separatist organization, have met three times with officials of the US State Department in Washington since April.
And one of the leaders of this organization, Jeffrey Rath, recently said on social media that he is looking forward to “meeting with US Treasury officials next month to discuss our feasibility study for a 500 Billion USD line of credit to support the transition to a free and independent Alberta.”
Jeffrey Rath, one of the leaders of the Alberta separatist movement, recently posted on social media, about plans to meet with US Treasury officials.
X/@JeffreyRWRath
US President Donald Trump did not hide his desire for Canada to become the 51st country. Last week, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also appeared to support Alberta’s secessionist movement when he said the province’s oil reserves make it a “natural ally of the US”.
“Albertans are independent people,” Bessent said. “The people are speaking. The people want sovereignty. They want what the US has,” Bessent said.
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“I think we should draw a line from people who want foreign aid to destroy this beautiful land of ours that was fought for by our ancestors, our great-grandfathers, our parents, our grandparents,” said Eby. “You know, there’s a line.”
Asked if he would raise the issue with Smith at the first ministerial meeting, Eby said, “I think all of us, personally, Prime Minister Smith, every prime minister has a role to play in saying that this is unacceptable behavior.”
The issue also angered Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who called the reported meetings between Alberta separatists and US officials “unacceptable” and “wrong.”
“Canada’s backsliding and negotiation is unacceptable. We are one country and we must all stick together,” said Ford. “We all know where President Trump stands. He wants Canada, and that’s not going to happen.”
Ford also asked his colleague from Alberta to speak out against meetings between separatists and Americans.
“This is Prime Minister Smith’s chance to stand up and say enough is enough,” said Ford. “Either you’re in Canada, or you’re not. I always have Canada.”
“We need unity, a united Canada. I’ve always said, united we stand, divided we fall,” added Ford.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford speaks to reporters before the First Ministerial Meeting in Ottawa, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026.
CANADIAN BUSINESSMAN/Adrian Wyld
Smith, accused by opponents of separatist fraud, has so far not criticized the party, instead saying he would like to see a strong and governing Alberta within a united Canada, to which Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi responded by calling it a “word salad.”
The Alberta Prosperity Project has also been holding meetings across the province to collect signatures on a petition for the Smith government to hold a referendum on secession.
The proposed question on the petition is: Do you agree that the province of Alberta should cease to be part of Canada to become an independent country?
Despite reports of meetings between separatists in Alberta and US officials, so far, the leaders of this movement say they don’t think anyone wants to join the US.
An Ipsos poll, released earlier this week, said about 29 percent of Albertans would vote to secede from Canada, but only half of that number would support secession when faced with the costs and consequences of doing so.
– With files from The Canadian Press
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