Foreign actors are trying to interfere with Alberta's separatist debate, researchers say

Foreign actors are attempting to undermine Canadian interests by interfering in Alberta's separatist debate, according to new report.

Actors from Russia and the US are attempting to promote separatist ideas in what researchers behind the report described as a threat to Canada's "democratic integrity".

The findings come as a proposed independence referendum in the western Canadian province could face a vote as soon as this autumn.

Earlier this week, a group behind a citizen-led petition seeking independence for Alberta said that it had acquired the number of signatures needed to trigger a referendum.

The Alberta separatist movement has its roots in what is known as western alienation - a term used to describe the belief by some that the interests of the province are often overlooked by decision-makers in Ottawa.