Communications between the Trump administration and Alberta's separatist movement raised alarm at the highest levels in Canada last week. It also raised questions about Washington's possible intentions.

Some even see dangerous parallels between American efforts to inflame Alberta separatism and the Russian campaign to gin up a separatist movement in eastern Ukraine a decade ago.

An Alberta separatist group has been speaking openly about meetings with the U.S. State Department.

"Rumour [is] that they may have a referendum on whether they want to stay in Canada or not," U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told right-wing channel Real America's Voice following those meetings.