Public Interest Alberta is calling for an investigation into possible foreign interference in Alberta’s referendum campaign after a Globe and Mail report described meetings between Alberta separatists and U.S. Republican political strategists. The group wants Premier Danielle Smith to ask the elections commissioner to investigate activity over the several months since the referendum was announced.

The Globe reported over the weekend that Republican strategists travelled to Calgary to meet separatists and assist their pro-independence campaign. The report said the Americans also had their own interest in Alberta separating. They intended to sell software to separatists that could support the independence movement.

Bradley Lafortune, executive director of Public Interest Alberta, said in a Monday press release that people with links to the governing United Conservative Party appeared to have worked with American operatives. “Albertans with clear and proven ties to the United Conservative Party appear to have been colluding with American operatives,” Lafortune said.

He said the question was whether Smith would respond to the reported allegations. “The issue is not Danielle Smith’s personal ‘affiliation’ with these individuals-the issue is whether she takes the reported allegations seriously enough and whether she will act on behalf of Alberta to get to the bottom of this.”

The call is being made by Public Interest Alberta’s “Together No!” campaign. It is registered as a third-party advertiser urging voters to oppose nine referendum questions concerning immigration and the constitution, and to vote against separation.

The Globe’s investigation also reported that Alberta separatist leaders travelled to Washington to meet with the U.S. government. During those discussions, the leaders offered potential access to fresh water and crude oil royalties in exchange for assistance with a transition to an independent country.

In a statement to Postmedia, Sam Blackett, press secretary to the premier’s office, said Smith was not affiliated with the individuals named in the Globe report and had no knowledge of the meetings. He repeated that the premier opposes separation and Alberta becoming a U.S. state.

On concerns about foreign interference, Blackett said Smith had obtained Top-Secret clearance and was receiving briefings from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, or CSIS. He also described the province’s security monitoring and coordination with federal partners.

“The Provincial Security and Intelligence Office (PSIO) continues to monitor any external and internal threats in coordination with national security partners and reports any concerns to the RCMP for investigation,” Blackett said.

“Further, the Premier has tasked Mike Ellis, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services, and Nate Glubish, Minister of Technology and Innovation, with monitoring influence campaigns targeting the province and escalating any concerns to the appropriate entities.”

The provincial government said it would not comment on security briefings, intelligence assessments or other operational security matters. Public Interest Alberta’s request centres on whether the allegations in the reporting warrant an investigation into possible foreign interference during the referendum period.

Based on reporting by Edmonton Journal.