Federal officials in Ottawa have stated that the actions of Alberta separatists, who have been bypassing the Canadian government to meet repeatedly with U.S. officials, fall within legal boundaries for private citizens. This clarification comes amid public debate over whether such maneuvers could be considered treasonous.
No Canadian Equivalent to U.S. Logan Act
Unlike the United States, which has the little-used Logan Act criminalizing unauthorized private diplomacy with foreign governments, Canada has no such law on its books. Global Affairs Canada spokesman John Babcock confirmed in an email that private citizens are not required to clear meetings with foreign governments with Ottawa.
"The short answer would be 'no', we don't have a Logan law," Babcock stated. This legal reality emerged after separatist organizer Jeffrey Rath claimed last week he was meeting with officials connected to the White House to seek support for Alberta's independence.
Legal Limits and Criminal Boundaries
However, the freedom to engage in foreign talks is not absolute. A spokesman for the federal Justice Department, Ian McLeod, noted that while such meetings are permitted, they remain subject to existing criminal laws. These statutes prohibit espionage, sedition, and the sharing of state secrets.
"A determination of whether any activity violates these … offences, or any other criminal offence relating to threats to the security of Canada, is a determination for law enforcement," McLeod wrote. This establishes a clear line where advocacy could cross into illegality.
The Alberta Prosperity Project's Campaign
The separatist activity is spearheaded by the Alberta Prosperity Project (APP), the primary group advocating for an Alberta independence vote in 2026. The APP has made three trips to Washington, D.C., this year, most recently reporting meetings with unnamed officials inside the U.S. State Department's headquarters earlier this month.
According to the group, their discussions with U.S. officials have covered several key topics:
- U.S. recognition of a successful independence referendum in Alberta.
- Defence and trade cooperation post-separation.
- Cross-border oil pipeline routes.
- A potential multi-billion-dollar loan to help Alberta transition to independence.
The APP is set to begin collecting signatures this week for its officially approved Citizen Initiative Petition. The petition, if successful, would ask Albertans: "Do you agree that the Province of Alberta should cease to be part of Canada to become an independent state?"
The group's actions have drawn sharp criticism, including from former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, who earlier this year referred to Rath as a "treasonous kook." The debate highlights the unique legal landscape in Canada, where private citizen diplomacy operates in a grey area defined more by what is prohibited than by what is expressly allowed.
