Delegation of separatists are out of touch with Albertans

The Commonwealth of Alberta Delegation to Washington has set its sights on Albertan independence. The delegation hopes to leave Canada by December 15, 2025, and are flying to the United States (U.S.) to gauge the potential for becoming a U.S. state or territory. This is despite the vast majority of Albertans not sharing the same desire to secede. I doubt many are even aware of this group. The group has said at some points they are looking for Alberta to be its own country, but at other times said they wish to join the U.S.. This delegation doesn’t know what they want and they don’t know what Alberta wants either. 

They plan to have Albertan independence as an option on a referendum ballot within the calendar year. University of Alberta alumni and lawyer Jeffery Rath is part of these separatist efforts. Rath has cited Premier Danielle Smith’s recent demands to the federal government and her statement that there would be a “national unity crisis” if those demands aren’t met. 

Backed by the Alberta Prosperity Project (APP), an organized body calling for secession from Canada, the delegation is made up of a handful of wealthy Albertans with checkered pasts. The delegation includes Rath, APP Chair Mitch Sylvestre, U of A alumni Dr. Dennis Modry, former Conservative Members of Parliament (MP) Robert Anders and LaVar Payne, and business owner Scott Bowes. 

This group does not represent Alberta. It isn’t hard to see that this delegation is the few trying to decide for the rest. Alongside this, some of these men have pasts that makes their representing Alberta questionable, to put it lightly. Rath has a hearing set for January of 2026 for allegedly threatening murder charges to resolve a civil dispute. Dr. Modry had a $6 million legal battle with Alberta Health Services (AHS) after AHS pushed him into retirement over “concerns about Dr. Modry’s professionalism and skill.” Anders has had a range of controversies as well, such as calling South African anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela a “terrorist.”

Between their array of blemishes and distance from the average Albertan, they clearly have no idea what Albertans want. Only 18 per cent of Albertans support secession.

With a relatively low amount of support, the delegation’s confidence for secession would seem unfounded. But it’s Smith who should claim responsibility for their confidence. Her actions have given the group reason to think she would back them and their referendum. The Black Hat Gang, who shares members with the delegation, successfully lobbied her government to amend the Alberta Bill of Rights for more American-style freedoms. Furthermore, Smith’s unwillingness to unify with Canada over tariff retaliation and longstanding opposition to Ottawa fuels separatist ideas.

However, on April 1, Smith said that she “can’t foresee” the Government of Alberta putting forward a referendum on secession. Rather, she said it is up to Albertans to decide what they want to put forward. While Smith is not seconding their want for secession, she has helped stoke the flames of separatism. She’s actively fostered the political climate for these groups and has done anything but firmly reject their ideals. Is this because she fears losing favour with this part of her base and their supporters?

Overall, the group is clearly out of touch with the wants of Albertans. They also aren’t anywhere near the average Albertan and shouldn’t be appointing themselves to represent us. Smith has given them a sense of false confidence, but I don’t think she’ll fully lead charge for secession. Realistically, I don’t think anyone else but them will. Nevertheless, she shouldn’t be sitting back. Smith needs to take a principled stand against separatism and for national unity. Since her actions have contributed to legitimizing these separatist groups, she should be the one to call out their delusions.