Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to clearly denounce separatist efforts in her province following reports that an Alberta-based independence group held meetings with U.S. officials.
Speaking with reporters in Ottawa on Thursday, where he is attending meetings with Prime Minister Mark Carney and fellow premiers, Ford said the issue presents a moment for Smith to take a firm stand.
“This is an opportunity for Premier Smith to stand up and say, ‘Enough is enough.’ Either you’re with Canada or you’re not with Canada,” Ford said.
His comments come after The Financial Times reported that leaders of the Alberta Prosperity Project met with officials from the U.S. State Department on three occasions in Washington since April of last year. The group is advocating for Alberta’s independence and is collecting signatures in an effort to trigger a provincial referendum on separating from Canada.
A senior U.S. State Department official told CTV News Toronto that such meetings are routine and that no commitments were made, describing the interactions as discussions with “civil society types.”
British Columbia Premier David Eby took a stronger stance, calling the reported meetings “treasonous” during his own media availability in Ottawa.
“To go to a foreign country and ask for help breaking up Canada — there’s an old-fashioned word for that, and it’s treason,” Eby said.
Ford stopped short of using similar language but described the meetings as “unacceptable” and “unethical.”
“We’re one country, and we should be sticking together,” he said. “We shouldn’t have groups going around the federal government’s back or the province’s back to negotiate with the United States.”
Ford also pointed to U.S. President Donald Trump’s past comments about Canada, saying Ottawa must remain firm. “He wants Canada, and that’s not going to happen. We’ll fight with every tool we have,” Ford said.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has previously described Alberta as a “natural partner,” citing its natural resources and interest in building a new pipeline to the West Coast.
Separatists push for referendum
Separatist groups recently held a rally in Calgary organized by the Alberta Prosperity Project and Stay Free Alberta, where supporters were asked whether Alberta should leave Canada and become an independent state.
Organizers say they have gathered thousands of signatures so far but must collect more than 177,000 to force a referendum this fall.
Jeffrey Rath, a lawyer representing the Alberta Prosperity Project, has said an independent Alberta would eliminate income and carbon taxes, though no formal policy framework has been released. He has also rejected suggestions that Alberta would seek to join the United States.
“We’re seeking a free and independent Alberta,” Rath told CTV News Calgary, adding that the movement is not aimed at becoming the 51st U.S. state.
Premier Smith has defended her position, saying she supports Alberta sovereignty within a united Canada. Speaking on her radio show last weekend, she said her goal is to redefine Alberta’s relationship with Ottawa.
“I’ve made my position very clear,” Smith said. “My first bill was Alberta sovereignty within a united Canada.”
