Trump's Canada feud collides with Alberta's separatist vote
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A push for independence by vocal Canadian separatists is colliding with heightened tensions between President Trump and Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Why it matters: As internal and external feuds threaten the country, Carney is using the moment as a rallying cry for Canada's economic independence and national pride.
Driving the news: Oil-rich Alberta, which has the world's fourth-largest proven oil reserves, is voting Monday on whether the provincial government should begin the legal process for a binding separation referendum.
- Carney, discussing the separatist push on Thursday before an Alberta anti-separation crowd, said that the "world has become more dangerous and divided" and that "some outside our borders are working to break us so they can own us."
- Though Carney did not mention President Trump by name, he earned a loud cheer when he mentioned reducing Canadian dependence on the U.S.
- He then joked: "Careful. They might think that's election interference," a nod to U.S. ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra accusing Canada of possible midterm interference.
What to know about the Albertan separation move
In a Monday video commemorating Canadian Thanksgiving, Carney acknowledged the possibility that Alberta could separate from the country.
- He appealed to Albertans, saying, "we should recognize that the world has changed. Canada is facing real threats to our economy, to our security, to our way of life. We have to be strong, and we are stronger together"
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said in a video that she voted to remain in Canada during advanced polling.
- She acknowledged Albertans' grievances with perceived disrespect from Ottawa, but added, "now is not the time to give up hope in our country."
Reality check: If a majority of Albertans voted to start the process of leaving, separation would not happen immediately.
- Rather, it would kickstart the legal process to hold a binding referendum.
- Those who believe that Alberta should remain a Canadian province far outweigh those who endorse beginning the process of separating, according to recent polling. Seven in ten Albertans want to remain part of Canada, per Ipsos.
- Leaders of Quebec's ongoing separatist movement see Alberta's effort as different from their own — and likely to fail, per CBC. Quebec separatists failed at secession efforts in 1980 and 1995.
Trump, Canada tension continues
While the sovereignty spat rages, tit-for-tat trade tensions with Canada also show no signs of cooling.
- The collapse of trade negotiations in August triggered 50% tariffs on a wide swath of Canadian goods — and Trump has since banned imports of certain Canadian products, like alcohol and dairy products.
Yes, but: Canada's trade retaliation is hitting in politically competitive U.S. states.
- The antagonizing of America's northern neighbor is broadly unpopular, a fact even some Republicans have seemingly acknowledged — so much so that Michigan Republican Senate nominee Mike Rogers called for an end to the trade war in a campaign ad.
The bottom line: In the face of separatist forces, Carney is highlighting the tensions flaring outside the country's borders — and pleading for unity within.
