This story is the second of two installments of a feature interview with U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra. Read also: U.S. ambassador denies donations delayed Gordie Howe Bridge opening
U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra says the Trump administration has not met with Alberta separatists, nor discussed any potential financial support for an independent Alberta, directly contradicting claims made by prominent separatists.
“No, we’re not meeting with the separatists and strategizing this at all,” Hoekstra told Global News.
A report in the Financial Times, citing sources familiar with the talks, said leaders of the Alberta Prosperity Project met three times with U.S. State Department officials in Washington since April.
Alberta Prosperity Project leader Jeffery Rath, the group spearheading the separatist movement, has publicly stated his organization has met with American officials. That includes a meeting with US Treasury officials to discuss a potential US$500-billion line of credit for an independent Alberta.
Hoekstra was dismissive of the separatists’ claims, saying “separatists can say whatever they want.”
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Asked if there were conversations about a potential line of credit with the separatists, Hoekstra said “no, not that I know of.”
When asked if the Trump administration wants Alberta to stay a part of Canada, Hoekstra would not give a definitive answer.
“That’s the president’s call,” he said. “I think at this point in time, we’ve made it very clear we are not going to take a position on that. That’s a decision that has to be made by the people of Alberta, the province of Alberta, and the federal government.”
That position offers a stark difference from a previous administration.
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During the Quebec referendum campaign in February 1995, then-U.S. President Bill Clinton called for a united Canada.
“Canada has stood for all of us as a model of how people of different cultures can live and work together in peace, prosperity and respect,” Clinton said in a speech to the House of Commons.
Hoekstra anticipates the Trump administration will not get involved in the fall referendum.
“I’m not going to get a directive, I don’t believe, from the President of the United States, from our Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, that says, ‘Pete, go out there and do what you can to advocate for, secession or for the people of Alberta to vote to stay as part of the Confederation,’” Hoekstra told Global News.
Despite the ambassador’s claim of not getting involved in Alberta politics, several premiers criticized Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent after he said in January that Alberta is a “natural partner for the U.S.
“The Albertans are a very independent people,” Bessent said on the Real America’s Voice podcast. “They want what the U.S. has got.”
Hoekstra dismissed Bessent’s comments, saying, “Canadians get upset about a number of things.
“There are lots of instances of Canadian politicians saying things about American politics or American policies and those types of things that I’m not happy about,” he said. “I don’t focus on them.”
MAGA-wannabe trolls out in full force yet again on this article. Real smart takes guys. News flash: you’re CANADIAN, whether you like it or not. I, for one, will always stand for the Maple Leaf, the True North, Strong and Free. Separatists are traitors to our country, period. If you hate our country so much, then please, move to the US. Just go already. BUT you’re NOT taking any Canadian land or resources with you.
Liberals are paranoid, delusional, fetishists.
Sure, and we all believe him.
Honestly?! Issues?! Really…
Time to kick Hogstras butt out of Canada.
He just doesn’t like us and is very arrogant. Go Home where you belong
he is the worst ambassador Canada has ever had. He is a Trump ass kisser and should keep his big mouth shut.. Trump doesn’t want the bridge opened because he got a 1000000 dollars donation from the Maroon family owning the Ambassador bridge
this guy needs to keep his stupid mouth shut, he is a stupid trump ass kisser.
Wow, now you know they are!
Sure, Pete.
…hoekstra is a trump fingerpuppet. Like trump, hoekstra is a chronic liar and has received political ‘kickbacks’ from the bridge owners. He has all the credibility of a 3 dollar bill and he should be ignored.
Another Trump LIAR!!
The US and Russian citizens commenting here, who may be connected to the Trump administration, are actively interfering in our election. Outrageous.
This article goes against everything the LPC and the tax dollar funded media has been pushing for months. Alberta, strong & free!
Alberta would be better off as part of the USA than staying in Canada.
He is such a liar. He lies so much he no longer knows the different between truth and lies. He has a American 4th of July party in Canada where he invites prominent separatists. Obviously they are involved.
A note required because Liberals are desparate.
The Liberal Party of Canada, the only political party in Canadian history to create constitutional crises.
Trudeau tried to cover up foreign interference Liberal involvement when he hired his close friend and ski buddy David Johnston as “Special Rapporteur” who tried to quietly sweep the whole issue under the rub. Johnston had to resign in humiliation a few months later.
The Alberta oil and gas sector plunged in the 1980s primarily because of the oil price dropping, not because of Trudeau Sr. Unemployment in Texas skyrocketed and many small oil companies went under. Do we blame Trudeau Sr. for Texas too?
@TDS. Alberta Oil and Gas Sector almost collapsed under PET “Nationalization Plan”. This was essentially theft of Alberta royalties as they were forced to sell Oil way below world prices causing a stifle on investment.
Expel this bald fool.
@Ben. It caused issues and there was an effect. It might not have “won” the election for the Liberals but it did help them. Ken Chui CPC MP lost his seat because of it. If the interference was a net benefit to the CPC, pretty sure Trudeau would have acted on it ASAP. Libs still have not enacted the Foreign Registry, years later.
The issue of Chinese interference in our election was independently investigated. The report said no effect on our election. Some think its a mystery why conservatives are compelled to choose the US over Canada.
Liberals had no problem in 2021 when China interfered in the Canadian General election as it was to their benefit. Then Trudeau tried to sweep the entire incident under the rub
Liberals didn’t mind in 2019 when Obama told Canadians to vote for Trudeau. Such hypocrisy. Trudeau in 2024 told Americans to vote for Harris.
@TDS.
You realize a new refinery was just built in Sturgeon County, outside Edmonton. Perhaps. you should do your research.
Time for Carney to grow some b*lls and deal with America. Time for Canada to tell USA to f*ck off and take all it’s mouth pieces and shove them.
Canada needs to expel Hoekstra the war mongering maga piece of garbage out of Canada. We dont need to be constantly bullied by this pile of garbage and his insane boss. F*CK THE USA!!
Tevi. Had Alberta accepted PET nationalization of the oil and gas industry in 1981 we wouldn’t even be talking about this. The successive Conservative governments squandered the royalties and refused to improve O&G infrastructure such as refineries and better pipelines. Nuff said.
The separatists have stated they have met with members of the Trump administration. The US has interfered in democratic elections in Europe and South America. USA should focus on fixing its own gerrymandered democracy which is rated much lower than ours on world democracy indices.
Just another way for Liberal media to make any association with Trump. Keep firing that TDS trigger….
Amazing that Libby’s still believe….
The Trump administration is not meeting with the Alberta independence peope but people outside the administration are.
The US administration cannot publicly support Alberta independence, that would be foreign interference. However Canada with no morals think it is fine for Doug Ford to go on CNN and tell people of the USA to vote Democrat.
@ A. Liberal. Trudeau & Carney and their failed policies have created the support for Separation. You can only kick people in the teeth for so long
To all the separatists. Leave if you don’t like Canada. F off to wherever takes your fancy.
I assume Marc (which is French) is an Elbows Up Canadian and probably still Idolizes Trudeau.
So what if they are? Didn’t Ontario speak directly to Americans and put out commercials in the USA? America has not put out TV adds in Canada. The hypocrisy by Canadians is unbelievable as yet again they seem to think they are virtuous. As an Alberta, being a part of the USA would be preferable as would be the best for the province.
The right wing moron bots are out in full force. Klanberta will never separate. However the leaders should be tried for treason as they admitted collusion with the US Treasury department. All liars and cheats.
Proud to be Canadian.
It’s all Liberal propaganda designed to trigger TDS in the minds of those who have chosen to have the non-invasive Libotomy procedure.
It’s no different than the “Elbows Up” buffoonery or the “Sunny Ways” nonsense from the Blackface Years.
The sheep lap this stuff up like nothing.I mean how easily fooled are these people. They thought Trudeau was a leader,LOL !!!
Alberta should be the new 51st state called ALABERTA….’
[ not to be confused with ALABAMA ] … build borders and walls protect AB oil.
OH no they’ve been involved since the Harper years, who does he think he’s talking to.
i am embarrassed to be Canada, a county that bows down to all immigrants , loves gay parades and communism in a strange way .
another distraction from liberal news to stop separation . all you liberals suck c**k
Trump is the best thing to ever happen to the LPC
I can’t believe the hostility Canadians have against Americans. I believe Canadians have sour grapes as we have a superior lifestyle and or course better weather. I plan to boycott Canada until their attitudes improve.
We paid for the bridge. The USA agreed to the bridge. Why does the US ALWAYS break its agreements?
Alberta separatists have met with members of the Trump administration. So can the ambassador give us the truth?
Normal ppl know this. Its only far left nutcases afflicted with severe TDS that think different.