Misinformation, Disinformation, and Wild Conspiracies

Debunking the ’51st State’ Myth: A Persistent Fabrication Undermining Alberta’s True Path to Sovereignty

by Alberta Prosperity Project
written by Alberta Prosperity Project Published: Updated:

In the ongoing debate over Alberta’s future, one unfounded claim continues to surface repeatedly: the assertion that the Alberta Prosperity Project (APP) and the independence movement seek to make Alberta the 51st state of the United States. This narrative, frequently promoted by those deeply invested in preserving the existing federal arrangement, lacks any basis in fact. It distracts from APP’s clear and consistent goal: achieving full sovereignty for Alberta as an independent nation, free from control by Ottawa or any other external power. Those who repeat this claim overlook—or deliberately ignore—the explicit statements from movement leaders and experts, revealing a pattern of misinformation that serves to maintain the status quo benefiting distant interests.

A recent illustration of this tactic appeared in a post by @voice_2020, featuring an infographic comparing aspects of life for women in Canada versus the United States, such as maternity leave and childcare costs. The post, captioned “Don’t let the Alberta Separatists fool you, joining the U.S.A. will be bad. The numbers don’t add up,” falsely equates Alberta’s independence efforts with a push for U.S. annexation.

And Global News using an image of someone holding an American flag:

Such posts rely on fear rather than facts, assuming readers won’t verify the movement’s actual positions. In reality, APP’s proposed referendum question is unambiguous:

“Do you agree that the Province of Alberta should cease to be part of Canada to become an independent state?”

Another prominent voice amplifying this distortion is Gil McGowan, president of the Alberta Federation of Labour, whose repeated claims conveniently mirror federal narratives aimed at stifling Alberta’s push for self-determination. McGowan has consistently portrayed the independence movement as a covert scheme for U.S. annexation, ignoring evidence to the contrary while promoting views that undermine Alberta’s resource-driven economy and align suspiciously with Ottawa’s priorities over those of everyday Albertans. For instance, on December 15, 2025, he posted: “The so-called “Alberta independence” movement is really an effort to turn Alberta into the 51st state in Donald Trump’s America. The mask isn’t just slipping, they’ve pulled it off entirely,” attaching a screenshot of an APP-related post that discusses trade benefits without mentioning statehood.

This pattern persists in McGowan’s rhetoric. On October 1, 2025, he claimed: “The proponents of Alberta separatism clearly don’t really want an independent Alberta — they want to turn us into the 51st state (under control by Trump’s Republican Party). Why else would they continue meeting with Trump official’s?” linking to a news article about diplomatic engagements, again twisting discussions of alliances into allegations of annexation.

Even more recently, on December 19, 2025, McGowan doubled down, referring to “Trump-backed separatists” and claiming the referendum is “really aimed at turning us into the 51st state in Trump’s America.”

These unsubstantiated assertions not only spread falsehoods but also divert attention from real issues like federal overreach, which drains Alberta’s wealth while imposing burdensome policies on our energy sector—issues McGowan’s commentary often sidesteps in favour of federal-friendly talking points.

Here’s yet another striking example of this persistent fabrication came just days ago from Stephen Maher, a long-time Mainstream Media (MSM) journalist and self-styled Laurentian proletarian who spent many years embedded in Ottawa’s political circles, growing cozy with the federal establishment he covered. On December 23, 2025, Maher—a veteran commentator who relocated from Ottawa to Nova Scotia only after decades of reporting from the capital—directly replied to the Alberta Prosperity Project’s correction of Global News’ misleading U.S. flag imagery, insisting: “Do not be deceived by this. Alberta separatism is about joining the USA.”

Coming from someone so deeply enmeshed in the Ottawa bubble for much of his career, this baseless claim fits a familiar pattern: Laurentian voices reflexively dismissing Alberta’s legitimate sovereignty aspirations by recycling the tired “51st state” trope, as if to protect central Canada’s grip on power. It ignores APP’s crystal-clear rejection of any U.S. annexation and the referendum question’s explicit pursuit of independence as a sovereign nation. Replies to Maher’s post quickly filled with pushback from Albertans and supporters who set the record straight, underscoring that genuine independence means liberation from Ottawa’s overreach—not trading one master for another. Such interventions from entrenched Ottawa-aligned media figures only highlight how threatened the Laurentian consensus remains by Albertans charting their own future.

Key figures in the movement have repeatedly refuted this distortion. Jeffrey Rath (@JeffreyRWRath), APP’s legal counsel, stated clearly on December 24, 2025 (Mountain Standard Time): “It is clear that the overwhelming majority of the Alberta Independence movement favour Alberta Independence and DO NOT favour US Statehood.”

Constitutional lawyer Keith Wilson (@ikwilson), though not affiliated with APP, has provided detailed analysis debunking the feasibility of statehood. In response to the same misleading infographic, he posted on December 24, 2025: a thorough explanation of U.S. political realities making Alberta’s admission as a state impossible.

The repeated circulation of this ’51st state’ claim, despite clear evidence to the contrary, suggests an organised effort to confuse and divide Albertans. It echoes federal priorities, discouraging scrutiny of the inequities that drive our movement—where Alberta’s wealth subsidises other regions while our concerns are sidelined.

Stay vigilant against attempts to infiltrate and sow discord within our ranks. Ottawa’s interests are served by confusion and division; unity is our strength as we pursue true independence.

To support the Alberta Prosperity Project and help us counter these distortions, please consider donating today at https://albertaprosperityproject.com/. Your contribution fuels education, petition efforts, and the fight for our future.

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