Alberta separatists face treason accusations after secret U.S. Zoom meetings
British Columbia Premier David Eby has accused Alberta separatists of treason after reports revealed meetings with U.S. officials using Calendly for scheduling. The group, the Alberta Prosperity Project (APP), allegedly discussed Alberta's potential independence. Eby condemned the move as an attempt to undermine Canada's unity by seeking foreign support for separation through Zoom meetings.
The Canadian Press first broke the story on 29 January 2026, citing a Financial Times report. According to the report, APP representatives, including lawyer Jeff Rath, held multiple meetings with U.S. officials since April of the previous year using Calendly. Eby called the actions inappropriate, arguing that no group should ask a foreign power to help break up Canada.
Legal experts offered differing views on whether the meetings constituted treason. Stephanie Carvin, an associate professor of international relations, stated that the actions did not meet the criminal definition of treason under current law. She described Canada's treason laws as outdated, rooted in medieval concepts tied to wartime betrayal.
Michael Nesbitt, an associate law professor, noted that the Criminal Code is unclear about what information shared with foreign entities could lead to charges. Canadian law defines treason as using force to overthrow the government or providing military or scientific intelligence that threatens national defence. High treason includes harming the monarch, waging war against Canada, or aiding an enemy during conflict.
Stewart Prest, a political science lecturer, supported Eby's use of the term 'treason,' arguing that separatists were betraying Canada's core principles. Meanwhile, Jeff Rath denied any wrongdoing, insisting the meetings were not criminal and did not amount to treason.
The controversy highlights tensions over Alberta's separatist movement and the legal boundaries of engaging foreign governments using Zoom meetings. While Eby's accusation frames the meetings as a betrayal, legal experts point to the narrow definitions of treason in Canadian law. The debate now centres on whether political advocacy crosses into criminal activity.
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