Growing movement in Canada’s western provinces is making waves with a bold message: Alberta wants in! As billboards spring up and mobile ads hit Washington, DC, some Canadians say they’re fed up with their government and are eager to pledge allegiance to the Stars and Stripes.
“We want to be the 51st star on the flag,” declared Peter Downing, an outspoken advocate for Alberta’s secession from Canada. “We’re totally pumped about this.”
Downing, who works in Alberta’s oil industry, is behind a string of billboards urging Premier Danielle Smith to take action. His excitement skyrocketed after former U.S. President Donald Trump suggested the possibility of absorbing Canada into the United States during a meeting with ex-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Why Some Albertans Want Out
For people like Shawn Harvey, the issue is personal. “I’m not a proud Canadian, I’m a proud Albertan,” said the 52-year-old truck driver who has faced years of job losses in the oil and gas sector. “I feel more connected to the U.S.”
Harvey isn’t alone. The so-called “51st Staters”—primarily from Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada’s top oil-producing regions—have long felt at odds with federal policies they claim are crippling their economy. Alberta, often dubbed the Texas of Canada, has been at the heart of the “Wexit” movement, a push for independence that gained traction under Prime Minister Trudeau’s administration.
Billboards, Mobile Ads, and a Trip to D.C.
Since Trump’s comments, the movement has ramped up. Highway billboards now feature images of Alberta Premier Danielle Smith alongside Trump at Mar-a-Lago, while mobile ads in Washington, DC, declare, “Dear President Trump, we are ready to be the 51st state.”
Dennis Modry, a retired surgeon and head of the Alberta Prosperity Society, is even planning a trip to Washington to discuss statehood with U.S. officials. “Where there would be a possibility for Trump to achieve his objective of Canada as a 51st state is in Alberta,” Modry said.
“Canada Is Like an Abusive Spouse”
Beyond economics, many Alberta separatists feel Canada’s government is unfairly treating their province. One of the biggest grievances? Equalization payments—a system where Alberta sends billions in tax dollars to be redistributed to poorer provinces.
“Canada is like an abusive spouse – they just keep beating Alberta down,” said Harvey. “The rest of the country calls us traitors because we want a better future.”
Even billionaire Elon Musk, whose mother is from Saskatchewan, chimed in on the debate. When a user on X (formerly Twitter) suggested Alberta should become the 51st state, Musk simply replied, “100%.”
For Alberta to officially separate from Canada or join the U.S., a referendum would need to take place—and the majority of voters would have to support it. Until then, the dream of statehood remains just that: a dream. But with growing momentum and international attention, it’s clear that this movement isn’t fading anytime soon.
