‘This is a turning point,’ Albertans say as they vote on possible separation from Canada – live updates

Bernd Debusmann Jr.
White House reporter

Image source, EPA

President Trump is not a fan of the Canadian government or Prime Minister Mark Carney.

At a rally this weekend in Kentucky that I attended, Trump again took aim at his northern neighbor, claiming – without any evidence – that the United States loses $90 billion each year for the “privilege” of allowing Canada to have its own health care system, suggesting that American economic policies fund Canadian programs.

However, he has not spoken out publicly on the Alberta independence movement, although he has not spoken out in favor of a united Canada either.

The closest thing to a statement from a senior administration official was Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in January, when he told conservative newspaper Real America’s Voice that Alberta would be a “natural partner” for the United States.

“They have great resources. Albertans are very independent people,” Bessent said, adding that “people want sovereignty. They want what the United States has.”

In late January, an administration official also confirmed to the BBC that officials from the Alberta Prosperity Project met.

“Administration officials have met with a number of civil society groups. No such support, or other commitments, have been expressed,” the official said.

All of this is a far cry from an official endorsement or policy position by the US government.

But depending on how things play out in Alberta, we could see President Trump comment on this topic over the next few days, whether at one of his many campaign rallies, in the Oval Office, or on Truth Social.