Political commentator Anthony Koch warned Alberta separatists that the province would have even less influence if it became an American state.

“Something Alberta separatists hoping to join the United States don’t seem to consider,” Koch wrote on X. “You think Alberta is ignored now? Imagine what it would be like to be an American state under a Democratic President.”

He added that Alberta would go from representing approximately 13% of Canada to less than 1.5% of the United States.

There is one rather large problem with this argument: Alberta’s independence campaign is not asking Albertans to join the United States.

Something Alberta separatists hoping to join the United States don’t seem to consider.

You think Alberta is ignored now?

Imagine what it would be like to be an American state under a Democratic President.

— Anthony Koch (@Anthony__Koch) September 1, 2026

The citizen-initiative question first approved by Elections Alberta asked: “Do you agree that the Province of Alberta should cease to be a part of Canada to become an independent state?”

Neither option proposes American statehood. And the current referendum is about a subsequent referendum on independence.

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The Alberta Prosperity Project similarly describes its objective as sovereignty and the creation of an independent country. Independence representatives say they have met with American officials and sought assurances about trade, recognition and financing, but discussions with a potential neighbouring government do not turn independence into annexation.

Reuters reported in February that most members of Alberta’s separatist movement favour independence rather than joining the United States.

The Reuters article was written about an independence-petition event in High River:

“While some expressed personal admiration for Trump, most said joining the United States was not their goal—they want Alberta to be its own country instead.”

Alberta Prosperity Project spokesman Jeff Rath was also quoted saying:

“The only thing we’re interested in is a free and independent Alberta, not statehood.”

There are some Albertans who support American statehood. That remains a fringe position distinct from the organized campaign for Alberta independence.

Koch’s population comparison is therefore beside the point. An independent Alberta would not be represented as 1.5% of another country. It would have its own government, laws and international representation.

Warning Alberta separatists about life under a future Democratic president rebuts a proposal that is not on the ballot and is not the stated objective of the principal independence organizations.