Canadian Prime Minister demands respect for the country's sovereignty after US contacts with separatists.

247 - Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Thursday (29) that he expects the United States government to respect Canadian sovereignty, following reports that US officials held meetings with a group that advocates for the separation of the province of Alberta. The statement was made amid rising diplomatic tensions between Ottawa and Washington, following threats from President Donald Trump to the neighboring country. The information is from the agency Reuters.

Carney commented on reports indicating meetings between representatives of the U.S. State Department and members of the Alberta Prosperity Project, an organization that is pushing for a referendum on the independence of the province in western Canada.

Carney demands respect for sovereignty amid tensions with Trump.

"We expect the United States government to respect Canadian sovereignty. I am always clear on this point in my conversations with President Donald Trump," Carney stated during a press conference. He added that the US president never raised the issue of separatism in Alberta with him.

According to the Financial Times, State Department officials held three meetings with representatives of the group. The separatists claim that policies adopted by the federal government in Ottawa are harming the province and intend to hold another meeting next month with members of the State and Treasury Departments.

According to the newspaper, the Alberta Prosperity Project plans to request a $500 billion line of credit from U.S. authorities to support its political and economic objectives.

Alberta's Prime Minister wants the province to remain in Canada, but acknowledges dissatisfaction.

Alberta's Premier, Danielle Smith, stated that she wants to keep the province as part of Canada, but noted that opinion polls indicate that about 30% of the local population is dissatisfied with what they consider excessive interference from the federal government.

Alberta is landlocked, and Smith is pushing for the construction of a new oil pipeline to the Pacific coast. The project would require crossing the neighboring province of British Columbia, whose premier, David Eby, has already publicly rejected the proposal.

British Columbia's leader calls seeking external support a betrayal.

Eby strongly criticized the actions of separatist groups seeking external support. "Going to a foreign country to ask for help to divide Canada is treason," he told reporters, referring to the maneuvers involving US officials.

Last week, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent commented on the topic in a radio interview. "I think we should let them come to the United States," he said, when asked about the possibility of Alberta seeking closer ties with Washington. Asked about a potential independence referendum, Bessent stated: "People want sovereignty. They want what the United States has."

Carney and Trump have exchanged public statements in recent weeks. The Canadian Prime Minister has described the US President as a skilled negotiator and suggested that some of Trump's recent statements may be related to the review of the trade agreement between the United States, Mexico, and Canada, scheduled to begin later this year.