Alberta Separatists Weaponize EU Ties Ahead of Independence Referendum

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's push for closer ties with the European Union is fueling separatist sentiment in the province of Alberta, where some residents view the partnership as a path to war and loss of sovereignty. The province is holding a referendum on Monday to gauge support for independence from Canada. The Holmes family, featured in the article, represents a segment of Albertans who feel the province has been treated as a colony by Ottawa, despite being Canada's wealthiest province. They oppose Carney's EU ambitions, citing economic decline in Europe and fears of Canadian involvement in a war against Russia, and advocate for Alberta's independence to control its oil wealth. Political science professor Duane Bratt predicts the separatists will lose the referendum, with support for independence hovering between 20 and 30 percent. However, he notes the movement, partly rooted in anti-lockdown protests, will likely persist. Rancher Elizabeth Hargrave plans to vote against the measure, citing the lack of a concrete plan and her family's deep historical ties to the region.