‘Offensive and false’: Alberta premier’s office denies Smith urged U.S. to interfere in federal election

The office of Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has vehemently denied accusations that she asked the U.S. to interfere in Canadian federal politics. This comes after comments made by Smith during an interview with an American news outlet earlier this month caused a stir over the weekend.

Smith, along with other Canadian political leaders, has been lobbying U.S. counterparts against placing stiff tariffs on Canadian goods, as proposed by President Donald Trump. As part of her efforts, Smith spoke with American news media, including a March 8 interview with Breitbart, a right-wing U.S. media company.

In the interview, Smith mentioned that the Conservative Party of Canada was leading in polls before the trade war, but the threat of tariffs had boosted support for the governing Liberal Party. She also expressed hope to “put things on pause” so Canada could get through an election without the influence of tariffs. Smith mentioned that Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is more aligned with the Trump administration’s agenda.

However, Smith’s press secretary, Sam Blackett, stated that any suggestion of Smith asking the U.S. to interfere in Canada’s election is “offensive and false.” The interview took place before the Liberals elected Mark Carney as party leader and before he called a federal election on Sunday morning.

During the interview, Smith discussed how the trade dispute was benefiting the Liberals and expressed her preference for working with a Conservative government in Ottawa. She highlighted the potential for a strong partnership between Poilievre and Trump on various issues.

In response to the backlash, political analyst Gitane De Silva noted that Smith was simply expressing her personal political opinion as a conservative. Smith clarified in a statement that she has been advocating against harmful tariffs and pushing for a pause until after the election, to allow for renegotiation of trade agreements.

Smith emphasized the importance of Canadians deciding their leadership and criticized the Liberal government’s policies during their tenure. Poilievre echoed her sentiments, stating that dealing with a liberal government would be easier for Trump.

Both Carney and Poilievre addressed Smith’s comments, with Carney highlighting the decision that Canadians will have to make in the upcoming election. The federal election is scheduled for April 28.

Overall, Smith’s office has refuted claims of seeking U.S. interference in Canadian politics and continues to advocate for fair trade practices between the two countries. The focus remains on the upcoming election and the potential impact of tariffs on Canada’s economy.