Amid rising Western alienation, Alberta’s independence movement gains steam, with separatists eyeing Donald Trump as a powerful ally in their cause.
Red Deer Rally Sparks Fresh Push for Alberta Independence
In a haze of wildfire smoke and political frustration, hundreds of Albertans packed a Red Deer sports facility—not for hockey, but for a rally advocating Alberta’s independence. Clad in “Make Alberta Great Again” caps and “Alberta Republic” t-shirts, attendees called for a break from Canada’s federal system, which they claim marginalizes the province’s oil-rich economy and conservative values.
A Movement Fueled by Discontent and Oil Politics
The rally, organized by the Alberta Prosperity Project (APP), comes amid growing dissatisfaction with federal climate policies and taxation, which many here say disproportionately impact Alberta. “We’ve been treated like a colony since 1905,” said Kate Graham of Calgary, echoing the sentiment that Alberta contributes more to the national coffers than it receives.
For rally organizers like Mitch Sylvestre, the federal government’s restrictions on oil development have become symbolic of a larger issue: a lack of provincial autonomy. “We have cancer,” Sylvestre declared from the stage. “We have it large.”
Trump Viewed as a Potential Ally
To many Albertans in the crowd, former U.S. President Donald Trump represents more than ideological alignment—he’s viewed as a potential international backer of an independent Alberta. “Trump is North America’s best asset right now,” said Albert Talsma, a welding contractor from Bentley.
Some believe that Trump’s past criticisms of Canada and vocal support for fossil fuels signal he could be the first global leader to recognize Alberta as a sovereign nation, should a referendum succeed.
Referendum Law Changes Lower Bar for Secession Vote
In April, just weeks after Mark Carney’s Liberal government returned to power on an anti-Trump wave, Alberta’s legislature passed a law reducing the signature requirement for a referendum from 600,000 to just 177,000. Petitioners now also have four months to collect names instead of three.
Jeffrey Rath, a Calgary-based lawyer and co-founder of the APP, believes the changes set the stage for a real shot at independence. “If anybody’s going to have the guts to recognize Alberta, it would be the Trump administration,” he said.
Public Opinion Remains Divided
Polls show approximately one-third of Albertans support independence, with stronger support among voters of the governing United Conservative Party (UCP). However, opposition remains, particularly among Indigenous communities whose treaty rights predate Alberta’s formation and are protected under Canadian law regardless of any referendum result.
Premier Danielle Smith has publicly distanced herself from full separation, advocating instead for greater provincial sovereignty within Canada. “This is a notice to Ottawa,” she told reporters. “The question is, what can we do to address it?”
Debate Over U.S. Statehood
The rally also spotlighted a growing divide among separatists: Should Alberta become fully independent or seek U.S. statehood? A billboard calling for Alberta to “Join the USA!” appeared recently along the Calgary–Edmonton corridor.
Some, like Red Deer resident Evelyn Ranger, view joining the United States as a practical option. “You’ve got the military, the trade deals—everything’s already in place,” she said.
Government Response and the Emergencies Act
The spectre of the 2022 trucker protests and the federal government’s use of the Emergencies Act looms large. Protesters recall bank account freezes and fears of military enforcement. Some worry the same tools could be used against a secessionist movement.
Rath, for now, shrugs off such concerns. “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” he said with a grin. “It might be from a jail cell.”
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