Foreign interference possibilities should concern Albertans

Foreign interference is a concern in Alberta regardless of whether a referendum on Alberta separating from Canada takes place this fall. While the Alberta separatist movement, Stay Free Alberta, has garnered more than 300,000 signatures, leading to Premier Danielle Smith announcing a referendum on the matter for October 19, the situation is still uncertain. Among this uncertainty comes concerns of national security.

Justice Shaina Leonard found that the referendum question from Stay Free Alberta would violate Indigenous people’s treaty rights, who must be consulted. Judge Leonard overturned the approval of the referendum petition on May 13. However, Smith plans to appeal the decision with extensive support from separatist groups in Canada. Additionally, Smith has announced a referendum question on whether to have a referendum on separating from Canada.

The debate continues to create heated conflict amongst Albertans and remains a possible target of international interference.

On November 13, 2025, the director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), Dan Rogers, addressed Canadians with reports of current threats of foreign intervention in Canadian politics. According to him, the current turbulent global environment may further promote international interference. 

According to CSIS, international interference can take many forms, such as surveilling, spreading of false information, threats to family abroad, extortion, threats to safety, and use of Canadian personal data. In a public statement, Rogers explained that this external involvement has the potential to influence Canadian politics through intimidation, dissuading Canadians from utilizing their freedom of expression. 

CSIS warns that by interfering in Canadian politics, external actors who do not privilege the same rights, liberties, and freedoms as Canadians may attempt to undermine the success of Canada by sowing divisions within society. The current reorganization of geopolitical alliances may further motivate foreign actors to attempt to undermine Canada while avoiding direct confrontation. 

Rogers reported that in the past, Canada has faced espionage threats from China and Russia. Much of this has been the extortion of corporations to illegally obtain Canadian goods to fund Russian war efforts in Ukraine. On top of that, Iran has used lethal threats against Iranian-Canadians with the goal of controlling freedom protests in recent years. 

Closely monitoring the threat of international influence should be of utmost importance for Canada. Regardless of the rising question of separatism in Alberta, national security is incredibly important. The upcoming referendum has been identified as a possible target for interference. By spreading false information or threatening Canadians to change their stance, outside involvement has the ability to accentuate divisions and create the perception that the desire for separation is more prominent than it is in reality. This threatens to weaken not just Alberta, but Canada as a whole.

However, through all these attempts at undermining Canada, CSIS has acted in the protection of Canadians as well as remaining as transparent as possible with the public, further creating a united front against these threats. 

Authorities emphasize that it is important for Canadians to be aware of this threat and of their own role in defending our nation from foreign influence. CSIS is endlessly working for Canadians each and every day. Still, though, Canadians have an important role in protecting their freedoms and safety. Canadians should be committed to double and triple-checking news sources as well as prioritizing verified and credible news sources. Avoiding the spread of false information can be possible through a collective effort.

Canadians should also be wary of what sites and apps they allow to access their personal data to further protect themselves from international influence. 

While these warnings are troubling, they should serve as a call to unity. At a time when foreign actors are actively attempting to undermine Canadian democracy, internal divisions, such as the debate over Alberta separation, are a source of weakness. Canadians cannot afford to let these divisions distract from far greater threats. 

Regardless of where one stands on the question of Alberta separation, protecting Canadian democratic institutions and freedoms must remain the priority. The future of Canada depends on putting unity above internal divisions and remaining vigilant against a much more devastating threat: foreign interference.