When Danielle Smith tried explaining Poilievre to Americans, Canadians heard it too

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith made headlines recently with her comments to a Trump-friendly media outlet about advising the Trump administration to pause tariffs until after the Canadian election to avoid boosting the Liberals. This sparked controversy, with NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh calling her remarks “shameful” and questioning her loyalty to Canada.

However, it’s important to note that Smith has consistently argued against tariffs for the benefit of Canadian workers and families, including in her interview with Breitbart News. She emphasized the importance of maintaining a tariff-free relationship between Canada and the U.S. for the mutual benefit of both countries.

While Smith’s comments may have been poorly timed, they were part of a broader discussion about the impact of tariffs on Canadian industries. Her suggestion that Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is “in sync” with Trump’s direction has been weaponized by federal politicians, with Liberal Leader Mark Carney questioning who Canadians want to deal with Trump: someone who aligns with him or someone who will stand up for Canadians.

Poilievre, who has a friendly relationship with Smith and agrees with her on energy policy, has distanced himself from her comments, emphasizing that he speaks for himself. Similar situations have occurred in the past, such as when former Alberta Premier Ralph Klein’s health care remarks impacted Conservative Leader Stephen Harper’s campaign in 2004.

Despite the controversy, experts believe that Smith’s comments are unlikely to significantly impact Poilievre’s campaign, especially given Trump’s recent statement that he would prefer to work with a Liberal prime minister over Poilievre. The timing of Smith’s remarks, early in the campaign, also allows for other issues to take precedence in the coming weeks.

Smith has signaled her intention to continue engaging in international diplomacy, including a speaking engagement with conservative commentator Ben Shapiro in Florida. Federal parties will be watching closely to see how her remarks may influence the election discourse moving forward.

In conclusion, while Smith’s comments may have caused a stir, their long-term impact on the campaign remains to be seen. It will be interesting to see how her diplomatic efforts and political statements unfold in the coming weeks and whether they will shape the conversation around Canadian politics and international relations.