The U.S. State Department recently engaged in discussions with a group from Canada advocating for Alberta’s independence, sparking renewed debates about the province’s longstanding grievances with the federal government. The Alberta Prosperity Project seeks to initiate a referendum on independence, highlighting the growing discontent in the oil-rich region.
Historically, Canadian separatism has been most closely tied to Quebec, where the Parti Québécois has unsuccessfully attempted independence in past decades. However, Alberta’s sentiments have shifted the focus of separatist emotions towards the western province, fueled by frustrations that have festered since the late 1970s. During this time, Pierre Trudeau’s National Energy Program aimed to use Alberta’s oil to stabilize fuel prices across Canada, leading many Albertans to feel exploited and neglected.
The emergence of protest parties, such as the Reform Party in the 1990s, showcased the province’s unrest. Despite initial difficulties owing to Alberta’s sparse population compared to Ontario and Quebec, political transformations eventually allowed these grievances to manifest significantly within the Conservative Party of Canada.
The return of Justin Trudeau to the prime ministership renewed tensions as his government implemented the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act, imposing a carbon tax that many Albertans perceived as an attack on their oil industry. Coupled with Alberta’s geographical challenges—limited access to Asian markets due to opposition to pipeline construction from British Columbia—the feeling of victimhood grew stronger.
The Alberta Prosperity Project, capitalizing on this sentiment, has now initiated a pathway toward independence via a citizen-initiative petition process. The provincial government, under Premier Danielle Smith, has lowered the threshold for signatures required for a referendum from 20% of the electorate to just 10%, easing the logistics of gathering necessary public support.
Petitioners began collecting signatures in early January, with a deadline set for May. The involvement of the Trump administration adds a complex layer to the situation, as the U.S. has shown interest in tapping into Alberta’s vast oil reserves, positioning itself to exploit any potential instability within Canada.
British Columbia Premier David Eby has criticized the Alberta Prosperity Project’s outreach to the U.S., labeling the efforts as treasonous, a sentiment that underscores the divisive nature of the independence movement. The implications of the Clarity Act, which governs a province’s potential separation and requires broad agreement across Canadian legislatures, make significant secession unlikely for Alberta.
Despite the challenges, the discussion around Alberta’s independence reflects a deeper longing for autonomy among some of its residents. As petitions circulate and debates grow, the situation highlights the intersections of regional identity, national politics, and foreign influence, leading some to hope for renewed discussions about Alberta’s role within Canada and beyond.