Alberta Premier Distances Self from Separatist Meetings with U.S. Strategists

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s office has distanced itself from meetings involving U.S. Republican strategists and a prominent member of her party, Mitch Sylvestre, who supports Alberta’s separation from Canada. Smith’s spokesperson, Sam Blackett, stated that the premier has no knowledge of these alleged meetings and is not affiliated with the individuals’ activities. Sylvestre, president of the Bonnyville-Cold Lake UCP constituency association and leader of the pro-separation Alberta Prosperity Project, reportedly met with U.S. strategists in Calgary in January to discuss software for mobilizing supporters. He expressed discomfort with the meeting, citing legal and privacy concerns about using his group’s membership list.

The Globe and Mail reported that separatist leaders suggested exchanging Alberta’s water and oil for U.S. support during meetings in Washington, D.C., last year. Both Sylvestre and Jeff Rath, another separatist leader, denied these discussions took place. Sylvestre emphasized that Alberta’s independence movement has enough homegrown support to make foreign backing unnecessary. The upcoming Oct. 19 referendum on separation has raised concerns about foreign involvement, with critics accusing separatist leaders of risking Alberta’s future by seeking U.S. support.

Ottawa’s Conservative MP Dane Lloyd expressed concern over reports of separatists promising Alberta’s natural resources, while Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree deferred questions to Canada’s security agency. Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas criticized the separatist movement, calling it a sellout of Alberta’s interests. Premier Smith has maintained that separation is a pressing issue, citing widespread public interest, though critics argue she is exploiting fringe grievances to maintain party unity. Sylvestre claimed he has faced no pressure from Smith’s office to alter his separatist stance.