Alberta separatists meeting with U.S. officials raises concern, expert says

A representative of the Alberta Prosperity Project met with U.S. State Department officials, which the department described as routine outreach. The group is collecting signatures to try to force a referendum that could be held as early as the fall.

Alberta separatists recently met with officials at the U.S. State Department, prompting broader attention in Canada. The meeting involved Jeffrey Rath of the Alberta Prosperity Project. The U.S. State Department confirmed the meeting and described it as routine outreach, saying no commitments were made. The Alberta Prosperity Project is actively gathering signatures to try to force a province-wide referendum that could take place as early as the fall. Known details: - A representative of the Alberta Prosperity Project, Jeffrey Rath, met with officials at the U.S. State Department. - The U.S. State Department confirmed the meeting and said it was routine outreach with no commitments made. - The Alberta Prosperity Project is collecting signatures to push for a referendum that could be held as early as the fall. Summary: An expert said it is unusual for diplomats to meet with a group that is not part of an elected party and described the contact as potentially worrying. Canadian and Alberta leaders said they expect the United States to respect Canadian sovereignty and to refrain from involvement in any referendum. The immediate next procedural step reported is the group's signature drive aimed at forcing a referendum, with a possible vote as early as the fall.