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US official comments on Alberta separatism, highlights close ties
(MENAFN) US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has commented on a separatist movement in Canada’s western province of Alberta, describing the region as a “natural partner for the US.”
“Alberta has a wealth of natural resources, but they won't let them build a pipeline to the Pacific,” Bessent said during an interview with an American commentator on Thursday.
“I think we should let them come down into the US, and Alberta is a natural partner for the US. They have great resources. The Albertans are very independent people.”
Bessent’s remarks come at a time of tense US-Canada relations and as a grassroots campaign in Alberta seeks to hold an independence referendum. Addressing conservative audiences, he noted there is a “rumour that they may have a referendum on whether they want to stay in Canada or not.”
A group advocating for the vote has until May to gather at least 178,000 signatures, representing 10% of eligible voters, to move forward with the campaign.
When asked about Bessent’s comments, Canada’s federal Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne responded on Friday, saying he would tell him “thanks but no thanks, we will do our own things.” He added that Canadians are “able to develop our natural resources at home,” citing a recent deal with Alberta that could pave the way for a Pacific-bound oil pipeline—an initiative long supported by Canada’s oil-producing regions but facing significant obstacles.
A spokesman for Alberta Premier Danielle Smith told reporters that the province supports new pipelines “west, east, north, and south, and we will continue to work with our US partners on building more pipeline capacity to US markets.”
“Alberta has a wealth of natural resources, but they won't let them build a pipeline to the Pacific,” Bessent said during an interview with an American commentator on Thursday.
“I think we should let them come down into the US, and Alberta is a natural partner for the US. They have great resources. The Albertans are very independent people.”
Bessent’s remarks come at a time of tense US-Canada relations and as a grassroots campaign in Alberta seeks to hold an independence referendum. Addressing conservative audiences, he noted there is a “rumour that they may have a referendum on whether they want to stay in Canada or not.”
A group advocating for the vote has until May to gather at least 178,000 signatures, representing 10% of eligible voters, to move forward with the campaign.
When asked about Bessent’s comments, Canada’s federal Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne responded on Friday, saying he would tell him “thanks but no thanks, we will do our own things.” He added that Canadians are “able to develop our natural resources at home,” citing a recent deal with Alberta that could pave the way for a Pacific-bound oil pipeline—an initiative long supported by Canada’s oil-producing regions but facing significant obstacles.
A spokesman for Alberta Premier Danielle Smith told reporters that the province supports new pipelines “west, east, north, and south, and we will continue to work with our US partners on building more pipeline capacity to US markets.”
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