Alberta Premier Distances Self from U.S. Strategist Separation Talks

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s office has distanced itself from meetings between a UCP party president and U.S. Republican strategists discussing Alberta’s separation movement. Smith’s spokesperson, Sam Blackett, stated that the premier has no knowledge of the alleged meetings and opposes separation or becoming a U.S. state. The meetings, reported by the Globe and Mail, involved Mitch Sylvestre, president of the Bonnyville-Cold Lake UCP constituency association and leader of the pro-separation Alberta Prosperity Project.

Sylvestre reportedly met with U.S. strategists in Calgary in January to explore software for mobilizing supporters. He expressed discomfort with the meeting, citing legal and privacy concerns. The report also claimed separatist leaders discussed exchanging Alberta’s water and oil for U.S. support during Washington meetings last year. Both Sylvestre and Jeff Rath, another separatist leader, denied these discussions, calling the report false and inflammatory.

As Albertans prepare to vote in an Oct. 19 referendum on separation, concerns about foreign involvement have arisen. Conservative MP Dane Lloyd expressed worry over reports of the Washington meetings, while Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas criticized separatist leaders for allegedly seeking U.S. support. Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree deferred questions to Canada’s security agency CSIS, emphasizing democratic principles. Smith has acknowledged separation as a burning issue but maintains her party’s official stance is for Alberta to remain in Canada.

Critics, including Opposition NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi, argue Smith is exploiting separatist sentiments to maintain party unity. Nenshi accused Smith of prioritizing her political survival over addressing Albertans’ actual concerns. Sylvestre stated he has not faced pressure from Smith’s office to change his course, asserting his independence as a UCP member.