Mark Carney expects Trump to respect Canadian sovereignty after Alberta separatists met U.S. officials

Prime Minister Mark Carney said he expects U.S. President Donald Trump to respect Canadian sovereignty after reports that proponents of Alberta separatism met with U.S. officials; the U.S. State Department described the meetings as routine and said no commitments were made.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said he expects U.S. President Donald Trump to respect Canadian sovereignty after reports that proponents of Alberta separatism met with U.S. officials. He spoke after a meeting with provincial premiers in Ottawa and said he has been clear in private conversations with President Trump that Canada’s independence should be respected. The U.S. State Department and the White House both described the meetings as routine and said no commitments were conveyed. Known details: - Reports said representatives of an Alberta separatist movement met with unidentified U.S. government officials. - The U.S. State Department said such meetings with civil society are routine and that no commitments were made; the White House gave a similar statement. - Prime Minister Carney said he expects the U.S. administration to respect Canadian sovereignty and noted President Trump has not raised Alberta or Quebec separation in their exchanges. - Provincial reactions varied: B.C. Premier David Eby described the meetings as tantamount to "treason," while Alberta Premier Danielle Smith did not denounce the meetings and emphasized her support for a strong Alberta within a united Canada. Summary: The reports prompted discussion among federal and provincial leaders, and Prime Minister Carney publicly called for U.S. respect for Canadian sovereignty. U.S. officials described the meetings as routine and without commitments; no further actions have been determined at this time.