(Updated) Eby calls reported meeting between Alberta separatists and U.S. officials 'treason'

A reported meeting between individuals in the Alberta separatist movement and White House officials amounts to "treason," British Columbia Premier David Eby said Thursday in Ottawa.

Eby, citing a report in The Financial Times, told reporters before the first ministers' meeting on Thursday that it's completely inappropriate for a group to ask a foreign power for help in breaking up Canada.

"Now, I understand the desire to hold a referendum, to talk about the issues we want to talk about in Canada," Eby said.

"But to go to a foreign country and to ask for assistance in breaking up Canada, there's an old-fashioned word for that. And that word is treason."

The Financial Times, citing sources familiar with the talks, reports that leaders of the Alberta Prosperity Project have met three times with U.S. State Department officials in Washington since April.

Jeff Rath, a lawyer for the Alberta Prosperity Project who attended the meetings with U.S. officials, pushed back on the claim that his actions amounted to treason or were criminal in any way.

'We are private citizens. We don't have the authority to enter into any agreement on behalf of the province of Alberta," he said in an interview.

"We have not entered into any agreements with the United States with regard to anything. We have not solicited funds from them. We are not receiving funds from them, et cetera, et cetera."

Rath called Eby "a fool" and claimed the premier was upset because he and other leaders of the Alberta separatist movement had greater access to U.S. officials.

"When we tell people in Washington that what Albertans really would like is an alternative (pipeline) route to the Pacific that doesn't have to go through communist British Columbia, and then three weeks later, the secretary of treasury is talking about how a pipeline through the U.S. Pacific Northwest would be welcomed — I can see how that would upset Mr. Eby," he said.

Rath said he wouldn't disclose the names of U.S. officials he's met with but the conversations were held with the U.S. State Department.

He said plans are being finalized for another meeting next month.

The Criminal Code defines treason as using violence to overthrow a federal or provincial government, or sharing military or scientific information with an agent of a foreign state that could harm Canada.

High treason is a separate offence that involves attempting to kill, maim or imprison the monarch. It also applies to enlisting in a war against Canada or assisting an enemy who is at war with Canada.

When asked if department officials met with representatives of the Alberta Prosperity Project, a U.S. State Department official speaking on background said in an email that the department meets regularly with "civil society types."

"As is typical in routine meetings such as these, no commitments were made," the official wrote.

A White House official shared a similar response on background — that its officials meet with civil society groups and no support or commitments were promised.

Rath has said before that his organization's discussions with U.S. officials have touched on securing a $500 billion loan or fund from the U.S. to help Alberta transition into becoming a country.

He said Thursday those discussions were a hypothetical "academic exercise" and did not amount to direct solicitation of foreign funding.

"We intend to put together a dossier that would include everything, including the ultimate deal memo, that we can just hand over to the Alberta government following a successful referendum," he said.

"Whether it's through credit swaps or some sort of bond issuance through Goldman's or J.P. Morgan, we're looking at all of the options."

Eby said news of the meeting is especially alarming because U.S. President Donald Trump is "not particularly respectful to Canada's sovereignty."

New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt said she believes Albertans ultimately will choose to remain in Canada.

"I think you're talking about a minority of people who are agitating, and I am very optimistic that the majority of Albertans will demonstrate their love for this country and their desire to be a part of it in whatever comes next," Holt said when asked about Eby's comments Thursday.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford called the reported meeting "unacceptable" and "unethical."

"We're one country and we should all be sticking together. We shouldn't have groups going around the federal government's back or the province's back to negotiate something with the U.S.," Ford said Thursday while entering the meeting with Carney and the other premiers.

"We all know where President Trump stands. He wants Canada and that's not going to happen. We'll fight with every tool we have."

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said recently Alberta would be a "natural partner" for the U.S., pointing to the province's resource wealth and desire to build a new pipeline to the West Coast.

"I think we should let them come down into the U.S., and Alberta's a natural partner for the U.S.," Bessent told right-wing TV station Real America's Voice on Jan. 23.

The Alberta independence movement is collecting signatures in an attempt to initiate a referendum on whether Alberta should separate from Canada.

Mitch Sylvestre, who is spearheading the petition for a referendum, said on Jan. 23 he doesn't think anyone in his movement wants to join the U.S.

Some organizers of the Alberta independence movement have claimed they have had meetings with members of the Trump administration, although they have not disclosed any names. Their message has started to spread among MAGA influencers online, and among Republicans broadly.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 29, 2026.

— With files from Jack Farrell in Edmonton and Kelly Malone in Washington