Canada’s foreign influence commissioner’s office says they’re “aware of concerns” about other states targeting the Alberta upcoming independence referendum.
In a statement Tuesday evening, Foreign Influence Commissioner Anton Boegman said his office has “proactively communicated” with both individuals and organizations that may be working with foreign governments to influence Albertans’ votes ahead of the Oct. 19 referendum.
Boegman’s office pushed any Canadian working with foreign governments to influence Canadian politics or government policy to review their website to decide whether they have to register under the Foreign Influence Transparency and Accountability Act.
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So far, the registry lists just two names publicly. Anyone actively working with foreign governments must register before Oct. 3, in the case of longstanding relationships that began before Aug. 2026.
In the case of arrangements that began after Aug. 4, 2026, people working with foreign governments must register within two weeks of starting that work.
The Oct. 19 referendum will ask Albertans if, among other things, they want to begin the constitutionally required process to hold a binding vote on separating from Canada — essentially a referendum on if they want an official independence referendum.
Alberta separatist leaders have claimed to have already met with U.S. State Department officials in attempts to secure financing for a newly independent province. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has previously publicly winked at the separatist cause, suggesting an independent Alberta would have allies within U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration.
The appeals to the Trump administration have raised concerns about U.S. foreign influence, or at least money, targeting the referendum.
Despite the concerns, public polling suggests that a strong majority of Albertans want their province to remain part of a united Canada. Poll aggregator 338Canada.com — using data from a number of different polling firms — suggests that 71 per cent of Albertans support remaining in Canada, to just 27 per cent who wish to leave the federation.
I hear Imperial Oil wants to be taxed out of Alberta if they seperate.
I’m fine with that.
No, it is Canadians that hate liberals.
“Anonymous
September 24, 2026 at 8:21 am
@smart guy: Hate to tell you, but it’s the russian troll farms, not a few yanks.”
@smart guy: Hate to tell you, but it’s the russian troll farms, not a few yanks.
So the Media is worried about a few USA bloggers,when during the last Canadian election up to 13 MPs had ties to communist China.In fact Chinese students in Canada were found helping Chinese seniors on bases writing on their arms who to vote for.I think we have big problems in this country starting with the Liberal$$$Freindly press.
@ben 127 pm. Show your proof of the usa interfering benny
And so much for this wondrous freedom of speech respected everywhere in Canada.
This is a canard to dispute election results until the end of time. By all means improve election integrity. Stop whining about influencers on facebook spreading misinformation (which is simply code, most of the time, for opinions one side doesn’t like). Freedom of expression is still ‘a thing’ we’re supposed to have in Canada.
@ben 127 pm. Bet you are a chinese communist
The canadian foreign government is interfering
No Albertan needs to be told by outsiders that the rest of canada is a dump, they are born with that knowledge in their DNA
I’ve heard some European nations are trying to influence people to vote Option 1.
Ben, so far there is only proof of China interfering, and that was to help the Libs in more than one past federal election. Facts
It’s ok when foreign interference helps Liberals win federal elections, but this is not ok…
The Russians, americans, and Chinese are interfering.
Propaganda.
The only interference I’ve seen, comes from our tax dollar subsidized media “experts” and the LPC. Even the CBC printed an article that most Frist Nations agree with sovereignty, and not with their “chiefs”.
I heard they’re working with the Russians lol..
I love my friends and family in the US first and foremost, but a massive change has happened. From AI to online gaming, the US has started to radicalize the youth, and those weak on values. Don’t think for a secon that US AI hasn’t infiltrated EVERY aspect of your life. 90% of the pro-US comments on Global are AI, directed at a certain portion of the population. If you start paying attention, not only is it there, but it is an ugly, dark shadow on the “free information” market. Pay attention, spread awarness.
The same baseless accusations as they made about the protest in Ottawa.
Here’s a question, where was this foreign influence commissioner when the Conservatives were raising valid concerns about Chinese interference in our elections? It took Trudeau years to take those concerns seriously.
Psst…I hear there are Liberals attempting to influence foreign elections…
Pfft. So, like Liberal elections only they allegedly care…