The Canadian province of Alberta is a “natural partner for the United States“ and its people have “excellent resources”, said US Treasury Secretary Scott Besant, commenting on the possibility of a possible referendum on the independence of the province.
“I think we should let them join the United States. And Alberta is a natural partner for the United States. They have enormous resources. The people of Alberta are very independent people. "There are rumors that they might hold a referendum on whether they want to stay in Canada or not," he said in an interview with Jack Posobiec.
Bessent added that although Alberta is rich in natural resources, they won't let them "build a pipeline to the Pacific Ocean," adding that people are talking about a referendum and "wanting sovereignty."
In December 2025, CBC News reported that Canada's provincial electoral commission had approved a citizens' petition to put the issue of separation to a referendum among local residents. According to the channel, the question would be: "Do you agree that the province of Alberta should cease to be part of Canada and become an independent country?"