By facilitating a separatist referendum Danielle smith has violated her oath of office and allegiance to the crown that she is sworn to uphold.
By Fareed Khan
A version of this article can be found on Substack.
A version of this article can be found on Substack.
As Canada marks
the 61st anniversary the red and white maple leaf flag today (February 15th), a
symbol of unity forged in the fires of national identity, we find ourselves
confronting an insidious threat from within. The Alberta separatist movement,
spearheaded by groups like the Alberta Prosperity Project (APP), may appear
marginal but need to be taken seriously by all Canadians, with polls indicating
support
for separation hovering between 16% and 30% of Albertans. While much of
this support is soft and symbolic, based on grievances against Ottawa, this
relatively small faction poses an outsized danger to the fabric of
Confederation. It weakens Canada at a dangerous moment in history when we face
overt aggressions from the United States under President Donald Trump,
including tariff wars, annexation rhetoric, and direct meddling in our
sovereignty.
Even worse, the movement is riddled with white supremacist, racist, and fascist undertones that go beyond mere fringe elements, amplifying divisions that could profoundly erode social cohesion in Alberta and across Canada. Recent analyses highlight how separatist “town halls” have featured inflammatory anti-immigrant language, including mentions of the “great replacement” conspiracy theory that falsely claims federal policies are designed to displace “old stock” (i.e. white) Canadians with racialized newcomers. Speakers at Alberta Prosperity Project events have scapegoated immigrants as economic burdens and cultural threats, prompting formal complaints to anti-racism organizations like StopHateAB, and contributing to documented upticks in xenophobic harassment and fear among racialized communities.
This xenophobia often intersects with anti-Indigenous sentiments, where separatists portray treaty rights and reconciliation efforts as obstacles to provincial sovereignty, disregarding that historic treaties with First Nations predate Alberta’s existence and bind the Crown directly. Indigenous leaders from Treaties 6, 7, and 8 territories have condemned the movement outright, launching legal challenges and warning that it threatens ongoing reconciliation and Indigenous rights.
These exclusionary narratives align Alberta separatists with broader far-right networks in Canada, including neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups that have historically overlapped with anti-government militias and promoted ideologies of racial homogeneity for white people. Far from being isolated, such racist ideologies normalize hate speech, heighten risks of discrimination and violence against racialized Canadians and Indigenous peoples, and shred the multicultural fabric that defines modern Alberta. This makes the movement’s apparent marginality all the more deceptive in its potential to bring dangerous extremism into the political mainstream.
The separatist support, while limited in numbers, is by no means ineffective or benign. Recent surveys reveal that only about 16% of Albertans are “hardline” separatists committed to full independence, with broader support—around 28%—often serving as a protest vote against Ottawa rather than a genuine call for secession. The APP’s petition drive, aiming for 177,000 signatures by May 2026 to trigger a referendum, has garnered attention through community meetings, aggressive campaigning and the effective use of social media. But the relatively small size of the movement belies its impact. Even a minority movement can destabilize a nation, as history shows with Quebec’s referendums in 1980 and 1995, which nearly tore Canada apart, and set the stage for years of rancorous federal-provincial relations.
In Alberta’s case, the danger is amplified by external forces in the form of Donald Trump and his designs on Canada. In this scenario the province’s oil-dependent economy, strained by federal environmental policies, becomes an issue that could be leveraged by Trump to the benefit of the US as the separatists seek American support.
It seems the separatist camp are ignoring how an independent Alberta would face insurmountable hurdles—currency shifts, border controls, having to take on their share of Canada’s $1.3 trillion national debt, and trade disruptions, as they suddenly fall outside trade agreements signed by the Canadian government. All the political and economic infrastructure that has taken decades for Canada to build, all of this could cascade into economic turmoil and chaos for Alberta, and would also impact Canada negatively resulting in declining GDP and lost jobs.
Compounding the separatist threat is the movement’s deep entanglement with white supremacist, racist and fascist elements. Alberta has a troubling history of far-right extremism, from the Aryan Guard neo-Nazi group to militant networks like Diagolon, which blends neo-fascism with anti-authority ideologies. While the APP positions itself as a mainstream advocate for provincial autonomy, its events have featured inflammatory anti-immigrant rhetoric echoing white supremacist tropes by members of such groups. Speakers at separatist town hall events have invoked the “great replacement” conspiracy theory, alleging federal immigration policies intend to dilute “old stock” (i.e. white) Canadians. Anti-immigrant sentiments run rampant within the movement, with calls to restrict newcomers in an independent Alberta, portraying them as economic drains and cultural threats. This xenophobia has real-world consequences, with immigrant support groups in Alberta reporting surges in harassment and racist incidents linked to separatist messaging.
Anti-Indigenous racist rhetoric is equally pervasive, with separatists dismissing treaty rights as barriers to sovereignty, ignoring that treaties the Crown made with First Nations existed before Alberta came into being. These treaties predate its creation by many years before Alberta was carved out of the North-West Territories via a federal statute. First Nations leaders from Treaties 6, 7, and 8 territories, which cover almost all of the province, have unanimously rejected the concept of separatism, filing constitutional challenges and warning that not only is Alberta’s separation not possible under constitutional and federal laws, but that it undermines reconciliation efforts.
These elements align the movement with broader far-right ecosystems in Canada, where white supremacist groups like the Soldiers of Odin and Three Percenters have proliferated, often overlapping with anti-government militias. By normalizing hate within the movement the separatists not only endanger immigrants, racialized communities, and Indigenous peoples, but also damage Alberta’s social fabric, fostering an environment where a MAGA type movement would become rooted and foster violence similar to what we have seen in the US.
This internal division could not come at a worse time, as Canada grapples with escalating threats from the Trump White House. Since his return to office, the US has imposed near-universal tariffs on Canadian exports outside the Canada-US-Mexico trade agreement (CUSMA), escalating a trade war that has already cost both nations billions. Additionally, since returning to office Trump has repeatedly mused about annexing Canada as the “51st state,” dismissing our border as an “artificial line” and labeling Prime Minister Mark Carney (and former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau) as “Governor” in derogatory tweets. These are not idle jests, as they echo historical American imperialist narratives.
Additionally, APP leaders have held multiple covert meetings with US officials since April 2025, discussing logistics like switching to the US dollar, border security, and even a $500 billion credit line to fund Alberta’s independence. These meetings, confirmed by US State Department staff, represent blatant foreign interference in Canadian affairs, with the goal of exploiting Alberta’s oil and resource wealth and weakening Canada. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has called Alberta a “natural partner” for the US, signaling an intent to carve up our nation. In this context, separatism isn’t just provincial discontent—it’s a seditious fifth column that amplifies American aggression. A fractured Canada would be weaker and ill-equipped to counter Trump’s hegemonic designs in the Western Hemisphere leaving us vulnerable to economic coercion and loss of territory.
At the heart of this peril to Canadian sovereignty is Premier Danielle Smith’s role in enabling separatism. While publicly disavowing independence, claiming to support “a sovereign Alberta within a united Canada,” Smith has taken concrete steps to bolster the movement when her government amended provincial legislation, slashing the referendum petition signature threshold from 600,000 to 177,000, thereby making an independence vote far more feasible. This change directly aids groups like the APP and Stay Free Alberta. Moreover, Smith has permitted United Conservative Party (UCP) MLAs to openly sign the separation petition without repercussion, stating they “can sign whatever petition they want.” Separatist leader Jeff Rath claims multiple UCP caucus members have done so, blurring the lines between governance and disloyalty.
Smith’s Mar-a-Lago visit with Trump in January 2025 and her refusal to denounce US meddling further suggest alignment with forces undermining Canada, and should be viewed as sedition under the Criminal Code. Section 59 defines seditious intention as advocating force to effect governmental change, while Section 61 criminalizes seditious conspiracy with up to 14 years’ imprisonment. Though experts note sedition laws are archaic and rarely applied without violence, Smith’s facilitation of the separatist cause goes far beyond mere political tolerance. By amending legislation to reduce the referendum petition signature threshold—making a separation vote far more attainable—she has actively facilitated separatism and thereby enabled a movement that seeks to dissolve Alberta’s place within the Canadian federation. These steps constitute not only potential sedition but also a direct violation of her oath of office.
As Premier, Smith swore under the Oaths of Office Act to be “faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, her heirs and successors, according to law,” and to “diligently, faithfully and to the best of my ability execute according to law the office of Premier.” By making it easier for those pushing separation to orchestrate a referendum that would repudiate allegiance to the Crown and the constitutional unity of Canada, she has breached this solemn pledge of loyalty to the Sovereign and the federation she is sworn to uphold. Former deputy premier Thomas Lukaszuk has publicly accused her and her caucus of violating their oaths, arguing that elected officials who support separation while drawing salaries funded by the Crown are disloyal hypocrites.
By most accounts this amounts to sedition—aiding a movement that invites foreign powers to dismantle the federation. Alberta MLAs who have signed the separation petition are equally in violation of their identical oaths of office, flirting with disloyalty and warranting investigation as potential subversion. In an era of escalating US threats, such conduct erodes national unity and demands immediate accountability—whether through federal oversight, calls for their resignation from positions held under the Crown they have betrayed, or calls for their arrest under the criminal code.
Canada’s strength lies in unity symbolized by our flag, which replaced colonial symbols with a maple leaf representing all provinces. Allowing Alberta separatism to fester, unchecked with its racist undercurrents and foreign collusion, invites catastrophe. It weakens Canada against Trump’s bellicose policies, from tariffs that could devastate our economy to annexation fantasies that mock our sovereignty.
Let this flag day serve as a call to recommit to the federation for which Canadians past and present have fought and died. In their name and in the name of all Canadians who believe in a united Canada we must reject separatism in all its forms, stand resolute against American aggression, and hold our own political leaders to account for actions that undermine the country they swore to serve. Only through this collective resolve can we preserve the inclusive, diverse, pluralistic, and resilient Canada that has endured for generations. Failure to act decisively now risks not merely Alberta’s isolation, but the gradual unravelling of the entire nation generations of Canadians have worked so hard to sustain.
© 2026 The View From Here. © 2026 Fareed Khan. All Rights Reserved.
Even worse, the movement is riddled with white supremacist, racist, and fascist undertones that go beyond mere fringe elements, amplifying divisions that could profoundly erode social cohesion in Alberta and across Canada. Recent analyses highlight how separatist “town halls” have featured inflammatory anti-immigrant language, including mentions of the “great replacement” conspiracy theory that falsely claims federal policies are designed to displace “old stock” (i.e. white) Canadians with racialized newcomers. Speakers at Alberta Prosperity Project events have scapegoated immigrants as economic burdens and cultural threats, prompting formal complaints to anti-racism organizations like StopHateAB, and contributing to documented upticks in xenophobic harassment and fear among racialized communities.
This xenophobia often intersects with anti-Indigenous sentiments, where separatists portray treaty rights and reconciliation efforts as obstacles to provincial sovereignty, disregarding that historic treaties with First Nations predate Alberta’s existence and bind the Crown directly. Indigenous leaders from Treaties 6, 7, and 8 territories have condemned the movement outright, launching legal challenges and warning that it threatens ongoing reconciliation and Indigenous rights.
These exclusionary narratives align Alberta separatists with broader far-right networks in Canada, including neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups that have historically overlapped with anti-government militias and promoted ideologies of racial homogeneity for white people. Far from being isolated, such racist ideologies normalize hate speech, heighten risks of discrimination and violence against racialized Canadians and Indigenous peoples, and shred the multicultural fabric that defines modern Alberta. This makes the movement’s apparent marginality all the more deceptive in its potential to bring dangerous extremism into the political mainstream.
The separatist support, while limited in numbers, is by no means ineffective or benign. Recent surveys reveal that only about 16% of Albertans are “hardline” separatists committed to full independence, with broader support—around 28%—often serving as a protest vote against Ottawa rather than a genuine call for secession. The APP’s petition drive, aiming for 177,000 signatures by May 2026 to trigger a referendum, has garnered attention through community meetings, aggressive campaigning and the effective use of social media. But the relatively small size of the movement belies its impact. Even a minority movement can destabilize a nation, as history shows with Quebec’s referendums in 1980 and 1995, which nearly tore Canada apart, and set the stage for years of rancorous federal-provincial relations.
In Alberta’s case, the danger is amplified by external forces in the form of Donald Trump and his designs on Canada. In this scenario the province’s oil-dependent economy, strained by federal environmental policies, becomes an issue that could be leveraged by Trump to the benefit of the US as the separatists seek American support.
It seems the separatist camp are ignoring how an independent Alberta would face insurmountable hurdles—currency shifts, border controls, having to take on their share of Canada’s $1.3 trillion national debt, and trade disruptions, as they suddenly fall outside trade agreements signed by the Canadian government. All the political and economic infrastructure that has taken decades for Canada to build, all of this could cascade into economic turmoil and chaos for Alberta, and would also impact Canada negatively resulting in declining GDP and lost jobs.
Compounding the separatist threat is the movement’s deep entanglement with white supremacist, racist and fascist elements. Alberta has a troubling history of far-right extremism, from the Aryan Guard neo-Nazi group to militant networks like Diagolon, which blends neo-fascism with anti-authority ideologies. While the APP positions itself as a mainstream advocate for provincial autonomy, its events have featured inflammatory anti-immigrant rhetoric echoing white supremacist tropes by members of such groups. Speakers at separatist town hall events have invoked the “great replacement” conspiracy theory, alleging federal immigration policies intend to dilute “old stock” (i.e. white) Canadians. Anti-immigrant sentiments run rampant within the movement, with calls to restrict newcomers in an independent Alberta, portraying them as economic drains and cultural threats. This xenophobia has real-world consequences, with immigrant support groups in Alberta reporting surges in harassment and racist incidents linked to separatist messaging.
Anti-Indigenous racist rhetoric is equally pervasive, with separatists dismissing treaty rights as barriers to sovereignty, ignoring that treaties the Crown made with First Nations existed before Alberta came into being. These treaties predate its creation by many years before Alberta was carved out of the North-West Territories via a federal statute. First Nations leaders from Treaties 6, 7, and 8 territories, which cover almost all of the province, have unanimously rejected the concept of separatism, filing constitutional challenges and warning that not only is Alberta’s separation not possible under constitutional and federal laws, but that it undermines reconciliation efforts.
These elements align the movement with broader far-right ecosystems in Canada, where white supremacist groups like the Soldiers of Odin and Three Percenters have proliferated, often overlapping with anti-government militias. By normalizing hate within the movement the separatists not only endanger immigrants, racialized communities, and Indigenous peoples, but also damage Alberta’s social fabric, fostering an environment where a MAGA type movement would become rooted and foster violence similar to what we have seen in the US.
This internal division could not come at a worse time, as Canada grapples with escalating threats from the Trump White House. Since his return to office, the US has imposed near-universal tariffs on Canadian exports outside the Canada-US-Mexico trade agreement (CUSMA), escalating a trade war that has already cost both nations billions. Additionally, since returning to office Trump has repeatedly mused about annexing Canada as the “51st state,” dismissing our border as an “artificial line” and labeling Prime Minister Mark Carney (and former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau) as “Governor” in derogatory tweets. These are not idle jests, as they echo historical American imperialist narratives.
Additionally, APP leaders have held multiple covert meetings with US officials since April 2025, discussing logistics like switching to the US dollar, border security, and even a $500 billion credit line to fund Alberta’s independence. These meetings, confirmed by US State Department staff, represent blatant foreign interference in Canadian affairs, with the goal of exploiting Alberta’s oil and resource wealth and weakening Canada. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has called Alberta a “natural partner” for the US, signaling an intent to carve up our nation. In this context, separatism isn’t just provincial discontent—it’s a seditious fifth column that amplifies American aggression. A fractured Canada would be weaker and ill-equipped to counter Trump’s hegemonic designs in the Western Hemisphere leaving us vulnerable to economic coercion and loss of territory.
At the heart of this peril to Canadian sovereignty is Premier Danielle Smith’s role in enabling separatism. While publicly disavowing independence, claiming to support “a sovereign Alberta within a united Canada,” Smith has taken concrete steps to bolster the movement when her government amended provincial legislation, slashing the referendum petition signature threshold from 600,000 to 177,000, thereby making an independence vote far more feasible. This change directly aids groups like the APP and Stay Free Alberta. Moreover, Smith has permitted United Conservative Party (UCP) MLAs to openly sign the separation petition without repercussion, stating they “can sign whatever petition they want.” Separatist leader Jeff Rath claims multiple UCP caucus members have done so, blurring the lines between governance and disloyalty.
Smith’s Mar-a-Lago visit with Trump in January 2025 and her refusal to denounce US meddling further suggest alignment with forces undermining Canada, and should be viewed as sedition under the Criminal Code. Section 59 defines seditious intention as advocating force to effect governmental change, while Section 61 criminalizes seditious conspiracy with up to 14 years’ imprisonment. Though experts note sedition laws are archaic and rarely applied without violence, Smith’s facilitation of the separatist cause goes far beyond mere political tolerance. By amending legislation to reduce the referendum petition signature threshold—making a separation vote far more attainable—she has actively facilitated separatism and thereby enabled a movement that seeks to dissolve Alberta’s place within the Canadian federation. These steps constitute not only potential sedition but also a direct violation of her oath of office.
As Premier, Smith swore under the Oaths of Office Act to be “faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, her heirs and successors, according to law,” and to “diligently, faithfully and to the best of my ability execute according to law the office of Premier.” By making it easier for those pushing separation to orchestrate a referendum that would repudiate allegiance to the Crown and the constitutional unity of Canada, she has breached this solemn pledge of loyalty to the Sovereign and the federation she is sworn to uphold. Former deputy premier Thomas Lukaszuk has publicly accused her and her caucus of violating their oaths, arguing that elected officials who support separation while drawing salaries funded by the Crown are disloyal hypocrites.
By most accounts this amounts to sedition—aiding a movement that invites foreign powers to dismantle the federation. Alberta MLAs who have signed the separation petition are equally in violation of their identical oaths of office, flirting with disloyalty and warranting investigation as potential subversion. In an era of escalating US threats, such conduct erodes national unity and demands immediate accountability—whether through federal oversight, calls for their resignation from positions held under the Crown they have betrayed, or calls for their arrest under the criminal code.
Canada’s strength lies in unity symbolized by our flag, which replaced colonial symbols with a maple leaf representing all provinces. Allowing Alberta separatism to fester, unchecked with its racist undercurrents and foreign collusion, invites catastrophe. It weakens Canada against Trump’s bellicose policies, from tariffs that could devastate our economy to annexation fantasies that mock our sovereignty.
Let this flag day serve as a call to recommit to the federation for which Canadians past and present have fought and died. In their name and in the name of all Canadians who believe in a united Canada we must reject separatism in all its forms, stand resolute against American aggression, and hold our own political leaders to account for actions that undermine the country they swore to serve. Only through this collective resolve can we preserve the inclusive, diverse, pluralistic, and resilient Canada that has endured for generations. Failure to act decisively now risks not merely Alberta’s isolation, but the gradual unravelling of the entire nation generations of Canadians have worked so hard to sustain.
© 2026 The View From Here. © 2026 Fareed Khan. All Rights Reserved.
