Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney cautioned U.S. efforts to undermine Canada’s unity, warning oil-rich Alberta residents that external actors seek to “break us so they can own us” during a pro-Canada rally in Calgary. The statement comes as Albertans prepare to vote on whether to authorize the legal process toward provincial separation from Canada.
Carney, who hails from Alberta, noted the escalating global tensions without explicitly naming the United States or President Donald Trump, though his remarks align with ongoing U.S.-Canada trade disputes and Trump’s public threats to annex Canada as the 51st state. His advocacy for reducing Canadian economic dependence on the U.S. has intensified friction in bilateral relations.
“The world has become more dangerous and divided,” Carney said. “Some outside our borders are working to break us so they can own us.”
This is not the first time Carney has raised similar concerns. His warnings coincide with Washington and Ottawa’s trade conflicts, underscoring the geopolitical stakes of Alberta’s upcoming vote.
Alberta’s Independence Vote: What Voters Are Deciding
Monday’s vote in Alberta is not a direct referendum on independence; instead, voters will decide whether to authorize their government to pursue the legal process toward separation. The province, home to the world’s fourth-largest proven oil reserves, has long grievances over federal policies on immigration, resource management, and Ottawa’s perceived overreach on western interests.
“The frustrations that many Albertans have felt are real,” Carney said, acknowledging that federal policies have made the province feel its resources were not fully under their control. However, he urged voters not to treat the vote as a protest against Ottawa.
“Don’t be fooled by the idea you can ‘send a message’ with your vote,” Carney warned. “This is not poker. A vote against Canada is a dangerous bluff that will lead to years of deep division and great uncertainty.”
Mitch Sylvestre, leader of the separatist Alberta Prosperity Project, told AFP that U.S. interests “don’t play a role” until Alberta achieves independence. “There is no animosity toward America here,” he added, emphasizing plans for continued trade with the U.S. if separation occurs.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently described Alberta as a “natural partner” for the United States, and separatist leaders have met with U.S. officials at the State Department.
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Quebec Separatists Win Local Elections
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