Alberta Premier Danielle Smith speaks at McDougall Centre in Calgary on Jan. 2, 2026. The Canadian Press/Gavin Young, Pool
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she doesn’t think supporters of the Alberta independence movement want their province to join the United States. Her comments came a day after U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent weighed in on the separatism movement during a Jan. 23 interview on the American network Real America’s Voice.
Smith said Albertans have been “frustrated” with the federal government but have not indicated to her that they want the province to join their southern neighbour.
