Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he expects US President Donald Trump to “respect Canadian sovereignty” following reports that Alberta separatists met with US officials numerous times.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith flexed her star power amongst Conservative Party faithful on Saturday, advocating for popular conservative policies while not directly addressing the separatist issue that has made headlines this week.

EDMONTON — A leader of Alberta's separatist movement says some members of Premier Danielle Smith's United Conservative Party caucus have signed the petition looking to force a vote on the province quitting Canada.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith believes residents of her province would reject joining the US, her press secretary said, days after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent weighed in on a possible independence referendum in the region.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Thursday that she won’t demonize the roughly one million Albertans who are open to separation, after B.C. Premier David Eby said a group of Alberta separatists who went to Washington in search of political support are engaging in treason.