Canada’s new foreign influence transparency commissioner says anyone acting on behalf of a foreign government to influence a potential Alberta separation referendum could be required to register as a foreign agent.
Speaking before a Senate committee, Anton Boegman said the foreign influence law applies not only to federal politics but also to provincial, territorial and municipal political processes. He explained that if a referendum on Alberta separating from Canada takes place, any individual or organization working on behalf of a foreign government or foreign principal to influence the outcome could be required to register.
Boegman’s comments come as Alberta independence supporters continue collecting the more than 177,000 signatures needed to trigger a referendum. The remarks also follow a recent visit by members of the Alberta Prosperity Project to Washington, where they met with officials connected to the Trump administration.
Several senators expressed concern about possible foreign involvement, particularly from the United States. They warned that while an Alberta referendum would be held under provincial law, its outcome could have major implications for Canada’s national unity and sovereignty. Boegman added that any potential cases of foreign influence would be assessed based on the facts and the requirements set out in the legislation.
(Source: CBC News)
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