OMG!?!

Prime Minister x Heated Rivalry, Treasonous Separatists, Trump Bans Canadian Airplanes, First Nations Detained By ICE

It’s Thursday, and what a day it’s been. The Separatists are getting called out, the Prime Minister is living out my Heated Rivalry dream, and Trump is HAving another meltdown. Thanks everyone for reading my newsletter tonight. I appreciate you all being here.

Premiers Meet With Prime Minister

Canada’s premiers met with Prime Minister Mark Carney in Ottawa today, and one issue dominated the entire conversation: Alberta separation.

This entire national firestorm was sparked by reporting from the Financial Times, which revealed that members of the Alberta Prosperity Project met with officials connected to Donald Trump’s administration and were reportedly seeking a staggering $500 billion loan to help Alberta transition into an independent nation. (These are all things I have reported on months ago.) It’s also worth emphasizing that none of the individuals involved in those meetings hold elected office in Alberta in any capacity. They do not represent Albertans, they were not chosen by voters, and yet they were positioning themselves internationally as if they speak for this province, and for Canada.

B.C. Premier David Eby didn’t mince words, saying that the Alberta Prosperity Project meeting with the Trump administration amounts to treason. And honestly, I agree with him. I’ve been talking about Alberta separatism for months now, and it’s striking to see how quickly this story is moving from the fringes into the national spotlight. Mainstream media is finally paying attention to what’s unfolding in this province.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford also weighed in, saying Danielle Smith needs to denounce separatism and declare she’s on Team Canada. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew had perhaps the most memorable line of the day, saying that if Manitoba ever held a referendum on staying in Canada, the choices would be “yes” and “heck yes.”

Prime Minister Carney, when asked about the Trump administration meeting with Alberta separatists, told reporters that he expects the United States to respect Canada’s sovereignty.

What much of the mainstream coverage is still glossing over, however, is this: Danielle Smith didn’t just tolerate the separatist movement, she materially empowered it. First, her government lowered the signature threshold required to trigger a citizen-led referendum. Then, when the courts struck down the proposed separatist referendum question brought forward by the Alberta Prosperity Project, her government introduced legislation to strip power from the courts and override that decision.

That context matters. Especially when you consider that Alberta’s chief justices recently issued a rare open letter, publicly defending the importance of an independent judiciary. That doesn’t happen lightly.

Beyond the separatism discussion, the premiers’ meeting also focused on nation-building priorities. According to the official readout, leaders discussed electricity interties, breaking down interprovincial trade barriers, diversifying Canada’s international trade relationships, and advancing major projects aimed at strengthening the country as a whole. The premiers also reaffirmed their collective support for NATO and underscored a shared commitment to protecting Canada’s sovereignty, a notable show of unity at a moment when that sovereignty is being openly challenged.

Carney Meets Hudson Williams

In a lighter moment today, Prime Minister Carney also appeared on the red carpet at the Canadian Media Producers Association, where he met Hudson Williams, the star of the hit hockey romance Heated Rivalry. Williams presented Carney with the Team Canada sweater he wore in the series. Those sweaters are now being produced by the Canadian brand Province of Canada and will soon be available to fans. The show has become a global success, made in Canada and funded in part by the Canadian government.

First Nations Detained By ICE

First Nations in Alberta are urging their members to take precautions when crossing into the United States. The Blood Tribe First Nation in southern Alberta says some members have been stopped and detained by ICE while attempting to cross the border. Indigenous peoples in Canada and the U.S. have long-standing cross-border rights under the Jay Treaty, signed in the late 1700s. These rights exempt them from visa and work requirements and allow denial of entry only under very limited circumstances. The Assembly of First Nations has strongly condemned U.S. actions.

Trump Banning Canadian Airplanes - More Tariffs?

On the trade front, Donald Trump is escalating his threats against Canada, now targeting the aviation sector. He’s threatened new tariffs on Canadian-made aircraft, floated the idea of decertifying Bombardier Global Express jets, and demanded that Canada immediately certify several Gulfstream models, which he called a “great American company.”

Aviation experts say Trump cannot simply decertify aircraft on a whim. Thousands of Canadian-made planes are currently operating in the United States, used by airlines, emergency medical services, charter operators, and private owners. Decertification would create absolute chaos across U.S. aviation.

Bombardier responded with a statement acknowledging the president’s comments, emphasizing its significant U.S. operations that employ thousands of Americans, and warning that decertification would ground thousands of aircraft already flying in U.S. airspace.

And just to cap off the night, Trump also criticized Canada’s trade deal with China, saying that if China “takes over Canada,” they won’t let us play hockey.

Thanks, as always, for being here.
See you tomorrow.

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