Smith putting American interests above Canadians’, yet again

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith did an interview with American far right-wing news outlet Breitbart on March 8, 2025. She called for the United States (U.S.) government to pause tariffs, stating that it has caused an increase in support for the Liberal Party. Additionally, she said the Conservative Party of Canada‘s (CPC) goals align with U.S. President Donald Trump’s vision for America.

Pierre Poilievre, leader of the CPC, didn’t outright disagree with her statements. Instead he vaguely said “people are free to have their own comments, I speak for myself.” This interview highlights Smith’s willingness to undermine the best interests of Canada for her own goals. She wants the CPC to win federally and is seemingly willing to advocate for foreign interference to make it happen. Ironically, in doing so, she is actively harming the likelihood of a Tory victory in the upcoming election. 

In the interview, Smith detailed that she believes the tariffs are pushing Canadians to support the Liberal Party. To remedy this, she wants the U.S. government to pause tariffs so that the Conservatives have a better chance of winning. This statement is alarming due to how closely it seems to fit the definition of foreign interference. Since her interview she has been called out by the Alberta New Democratic Party‘s (NDP) official opposition House Leader, Christina Gray. Some have even begun circulating the link to the Commissioner of Elections Canada to report her for foreign interference. 

At the root of her request is her belief that tariffs are pushing people to support the Liberal Party and its leader and current Prime Minister, Mark Carney. Carney has been running on an “elbows up,” pro-Canada campaign, fostering a sense of healthy nationalism. If Smith feels Canadian nationalism threatens the CPC, is Canada really the main priority of the CPC? At the very least, it makes me question Smith’s priorities. This is also on par with her track record of putting the U.S. over Canada.

She refused to align with every other premier in the country to retaliate against threatened tariffs. Smith’s government also recently amended the Alberta Bill of Rights to include American-style freedoms. The group that lobbied for these amendments also has ties to separatists. Her giving her time and power to those who don’t have Canada’s benefit in mind could indicate that she shares — or at least sympathizes with — their views. Smith hasn’t been shy about her admiration for U.S. Republicans, and that’s on full display now. But Canadians and Albertans aren’t looking to be more like the U.S.. Nor are they looking to be part of the U.S.. It seems she’s willing to ignore that if it means her choice of prime minister wins the election.

In response to criticism, Smith committed an embarrassing amount of mental gymnastics. She’s said “asking the U.S. to refrain from [tariffs] is actually the opposite [of interference]. I do not want to see anyone interfere in our elections.” Unfortunately it is hard for me to believe her due to the very recent statements she made contradicting this. Alongside her comments on tariffs, she said that “Pierre would be very much in sync with the new direction in America.” Smith was clearly implying that it would be beneficial to the U.S. for him to be prime minister of Canada. 

Trump has repeatedly stated his intention for Canada to be the 51st state. For Smith to ask the U.S. to use its influence over our politics and elections and state that Poilievre aligns with them shows she doesn’t have Canada’s best interests at heart. Even with recent threats to our sovereignty, it seems Smith is fine with the U.S. wielding undue power over our election.

Overall, her willingness to call on the U.S. government to influence our electoral process is indicative of her Smith-first attitude. Even if it’s not what Canadians and Albertans want.