Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame member Paul Brandt has sparked debate online after sharing a social media post that many supporters of Alberta separatism interpreted as a nod to the province’s independence movement.
Late Saturday, Brandt posted a photograph of himself walking along a highway, overlaid with lyrics from his 2004 hit song Alberta Bound. The image prominently featured the line “I’ve got independence in my veins,” prompting speculation about whether the singer was signalling support for calls to separate Alberta from Canada.
While Brandt did not explicitly state his political views, supporters of the Alberta Prosperity Project and other separatist groups quickly embraced the post. Several commenters praised the singer, with some suggesting he should compose a national anthem for an independent Alberta, while others went as far as calling him a potential president of a future “Republic of Alberta.”
The renewed attention comes as Stay Free Alberta, the group leading the push for a referendum on separation, continues to gather signatures. The organization needs at least 177,732 valid signatures by May 2 for the petition to be verified and brought before the Alberta legislative assembly. According to the Let’s Talk Alberta Independence Facebook page, volunteers are collecting signatures at the Big Four Building on Monday, with events scheduled throughout the day.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith addressed the broader separatist debate during her Saturday radio show, pushing back against remarks made by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who suggested that Alberta separatists want to join the United States. Smith said her conversations with frustrated Albertans do not reflect any desire to become a U.S. state.
She said many residents want a new relationship with Ottawa rather than separation, adding that her focus remains on working with Canada’s new federal leadership, particularly on shared priorities such as building new energy pipelines.
Jeffrey Rath of the Alberta Prosperity Project echoed Smith’s comments in an interview with CTV Calgary, saying statehood within the U.S. is not being considered. Rath said discussions with American counterparts are based on the assumption of Alberta becoming an independent country, operating in a common market with the United States.
Political scientist Duane Bratt of Mount Royal University said the growing momentum behind the referendum campaign is increasing pressure on elected officials to clearly state their positions. He argued that if a separation question reaches a referendum, political leaders, including the premier, will need to give a clear yes or no answer.
Bratt also noted that the meaning of Brandt’s lyrics may be changing with the political climate. He said references to independence that once reflected Alberta’s independent-minded culture can now be interpreted differently amid an active separation campaign, particularly given the timing of the post.
