Foreign influence commissioner could monitor an Alberta referendum on separation

Americans seeking to influence a possible Alberta referendum on separating from Canada could have to register as foreign agents, says Canada’s new foreign influence watchdog.

Testifying before members of the Senate on Thursday, Anton Boegman said his mandate isn’t restricted to federal politics.

“The law would be applicable in provincial and territorial processes, in municipal processes,” said Boegman, who has been nominated as Canada’s first foreign influence transparency commissioner.

“If it’s a territorial referendum, or a provincial referendum, that would be a provincial political process and so the law would be applicable. If there are activities that would meet the criteria … then registration would be required.”

Boegman said that would include anyone seeking to influence an Alberta referendum on separation on behalf of the U.S. government or a foreign principal. 

“Yes we would be asking them. It would apply to anyone who meets that criteria,” he said.

Boegman’s comments come as supporters of Alberta independence are working to collect the more than 177,000 signatures needed to trigger a referendum on whether the western province should cease to be part of Canada.

They also come after the Alberta Prosperity Project, which advocates for Alberta separating from Canada, travelled to Washington to meet with Trump administration officials and sought a possible $500-billion US line of credit to help fund an independent Alberta.

Top U.S. officials like Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent have also commented on the movement.

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“Rumour [is] that they may have a referendum on whether they want to stay in Canada or not, Bessent told right-wing channel Real America’s Voice following the meetings. “People want sovereignty. They want what the U.S. has got.”

Sen. Paula Simon said when Parliament adopted the legislation in June 2024 to create a foreign agent registry and name a foreign influence commissioner, the concern was potential interference from China, India and Russia.

“As an Albertan, what I am worried most about now is foreign interference from the United States through American officials and their agents,” Simon said.

“It’s an Alberta referendum under provincial law but it affects our national unity and Canadian sovereignty.”

Sen. Yuen Pau Woo said he was concerned by reports “of support from certain countries from private groups for secession in this country,” questioning whether the law adopted by Parliament will cover private groups.

Interference happening ‘at all levels’: Boegman

Speaking earlier in the day with CBC News after testifying before a House of Commons committee, Boegman said the Washington meeting between Alberta separation supporters and Trump administration officials could possibly fall under his mandate.

“I would say it is possible. I don’t know the specifics of that. Any instance that would be brought to my attention, we would obviously have to get the detail about that, understand what the facts are and then assess them against the legislative framework.”

Boegman had less to say when it came to whether India has been conducting foreign interference in Canada.

“I have not had access to any types of intelligence briefings or these sorts of things so all that I can assess is what I have read in the media,” he told CBC News as Prime Minister Mark Carney was travelling to India.

If people working on behalf of the Indian government try to influence Canadian politicians or government policy, they will have to register as foreign agents once the registry is established, Boegman said.

“Obviously if there are activities that meet the requirements of the law that are directed by India or an individual in India then they would require registration,” he said.

Speaking to senators, Boegman said foreign interference is already taking place. 

“I do believe that the issue of foreign interference and influence has been happening in Canada. It has been happening at all levels. It happens probably more frequently in some of the more northern communities in Canada, in some of the territories.”

Boegman’s nomination as Canada’s first foreign influence watchdog comes a year-and-a-half after Parliament adopted legislation creating the position and calling for a foreign agent registry listing those who have made arrangements to work in Canada as agents on behalf of foreign governments.

The government has published draft regulations to set up the registry and Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree has said that he hopes to adopt the final regulations this spring.

After Thursday’s hearings, the next step is for the House of Commons and the Senate to approve Boegman’s nomination.