History of Alberta independence

Sources for this page

Each number marks a specific claim. Notes give the source, its locator and how it relates to the claim.

1. 1.

   Claim: Alberta separatism traces its organised origins to the 1970s, largely in reaction to federal policies under Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau perceived as encroaching on Alberta's jurisdiction over its natural resources; the first organised effort, the Independent Alberta Association, was formed in 1974 by a small group of Albertans, predominantly Calgary-based oil industry figures.

   • How Alberta's Separatist Movement Could Shake North America (The Walrus) link, 1970s origins section. Source record
2. 2.

   Claim: The Alberta Prosperity Project (APP), led by businessman Mitch Sylvestre, has campaigned through an initiative called Stay Free Alberta to gather petition signatures in support of a referendum on Albertan independence, proposing the referendum question "Do you agree that the province of Alberta should cease to be a part of Canada to become an independent state?"; on 4 May 2026, Sylvestre submitted boxes of petition signatures to Elections Alberta in an effort to trigger such a referendum.

   • Who are the Alberta separatists in Canada asking for Trump's help to split from their country (CNN) link, Referendum question and petition submission section. Source record
3. 3.

   Claim: Alberta Prosperity Project leaders have reported seeking a meeting with US Treasury Department officials to request a US $500 billion line of credit intended to assist a transition of Alberta from a Canadian province toward closer association with, or membership in, the United States; this bundle presents this reported outreach as documented by journalistic sources, not independently verified or adjudicated by this bundle.

   • Who are the Alberta separatists in Canada asking for Trump's help to split from their country (CNN) link, US outreach section. Source record