Ms. Smith travels to Washington in the New Year, along with numerous other places in the United States. Danielle Smith is a premier and a diplomat at the same time. Even when the Alberta premier is at home she appears on Fox TV, engaging millions of supporters of president-elect Donald Trump. Surprisingly, Smith has become an important voice for both Alberta and Canada in the U.S., and her experience in TV and radio makes her very effective at it. She was on Fox Business again this week, and when asked about the idea of statehood resonating with Canadians, she responded, “I think it’s resonating with Americans more than Canadians.” Her words echo a void left by Canada’s national government.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau remains largely absent from any form of leadership, which is both embarrassing and risky as Trump’s inauguration approaches in just three weeks. Trump has threatened harsh tariffs from day one, and Canada needs leaders who can cut through the dramatic American rhetoric with common sense and diplomacy. In this context, Smith hits the perfect tone. She deftly handles the ridiculous idea of annexation with humor while firmly asserting that Canada is an independent nation, regardless of what figures like Kevin O’Leary say. It’s somewhat ironic that, despite her ideology of provincial sovereignty, Smith has become one of the most prominent voices advocating for Canada on the international stage. And she does so without alienating anyone other than her domestic political opponents.
Smith was asked about Trump’s suggestion that hockey legend Wayne Gretzky should run for prime minister, a notion as absurd as it is impossible. Smith, a longtime Edmonton Oilers fan, responded by recalling Gretzky’s famous advice: “Don’t go where the puck is, go where the puck is going.” She then pointed out that in Canada, the political direction is toward Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who, she believes, will win the next election and be a strong partner for the U.S. in areas like tax reduction and trade. It was a partisan comment, but also a firm reminder to Americans that Canada has a legitimate political system and a functioning federal government.
Smith was also asked about O’Leary’s proposal to merge Canada with the U.S. by eliminating the border and adopting a common currency, a plan that he claimed more than half of Canadians support. However, a December Leger poll revealed that only 13 percent of Canadians favor becoming a U.S. state, while 82 percent oppose it. Smith skillfully sidestepped O’Leary’s idea without directly addressing him. “We’ve seen the European Union experiment, which hasn’t worked out very well,” she said, noting the division within the EU. “Canada and the U.S. have a really strong, solid relationship as two sovereign nations.” She emphasized that the two countries should work together on trade, border issues, and global security, particularly in countering threats from China and Russia. She expressed confidence that Alberta, and Canada as a whole, could be a strong partner for the U.S. as two separate sovereign nations.
Smith is also meeting key American figures in person. She will be in Washington from January 18 to 23 for Trump’s inauguration, where she plans to attend various events and meet with think tanks, media, and influential members of the new administration. Additionally, she’s been invited to a national governors’ conference on energy security, as well as to meetings in Oklahoma and Louisiana. “I expect to be in the U.S. every month next year,” she said, “to work on removing the tariffs if they come into effect on January 20, or to ensure they don’t happen at all.” Smith is fully engaged in national diplomacy during this critical time, stepping up where Canada’s national leadership has faltered.
