How Danielle Smith is Derailing Pierre Poilievre’s Conservative Campaign

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is making friends with American far-right media figures and creating headaches for Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre after recent comments suggesting Poilievre will bring Canada closer to Donald Trump.

Smith drew heavy criticism over the weekend following an interview with Breitbart News where she admitted to talking with Trump officials about how best to get Poilievre elected. 

“On balance, the perspective that Pierre would bring would be very much in sync with, I think, with the new direction in America. And I think we’d have a really great relationship for the period of time they’re both in,” Smith said.

Smith suggested a pause on talk of tariffs from the Trump camp because it’s helping Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberals.

“Because of what we see as unjust and unfair tariffs, it’s actually caused an increase in support for the Liberals. And so that’s what I fear — is that the longer this dispute goes on, politicians posture and it seems to be benefiting the Liberals right now,” Smith told Breitbart news host Matthew Boyle on March 8th.

“I would hope that we could put things on pause, is what I’ve told administration officials: ‘Let’s just put things on pause so we can get through an election. Let’s have the best person at the table make the argument for how they would deal with that,’ and I think that’s Pierre Poilievre.”

The comment quickly grabbed headlines on day one of the federal election campaign. Many observers have since pointed out that Smith’s comments give the appearance of an invitation to the new administration to aid in the upcoming Canadian election, though Smith denies this.

The controversy prompted a response from Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre when asked about it on day one of his campaign. He stopped short of condemnation or support, telling reporters “People are free to make their own comments. I speak for myself.”

Some have noted that Smith’s exploits are a nuisance for the federal conservative campaign in its opening days.

One political analyst out of Mount Royal University says Smith should resign.

“Within the context of everything she’s said, she should resign. At this point in Canadian history, to do what she did is reprehensible,” political scientist Keith Brownsey told PressProgress. 

“She thinks that through sheer will of personality can change the minds of various officials in the Trump administration to lay off oil and gas tariffs. I have no doubt that she thinks she’s looking after Alberta interest, and that’s generally speaking her job but to associate with Shapiro, Breitbart, and PragerU is pretty out there.”

Brownsey added that it amounts to an invitation for election interference.

“She is asking Americans to interfere in the Canadian election. Now, we know that happens all the time, but at least keep up the pretense that it doesn’t. Smith has missed an important moment in Canadian political history.“

Danielle Smith is heading to Florida for a Ben Shapiro event on the heels of a controversy involving her talks with the Trump Administration.

The “fireside chat” with Shapiro is a minimum $1,500 a ticket fundraiser for the far-right, climate change denialist group PragerU. Alberta taxpayer dollars will pay for Smith and her staff’s expenses. 

PragerU is a conservative advocacy group active on campuses that promotes climate change denialism, at one point comparing climate activists to nazis.

Shapiro has disrespected Canada’s sovereignty on multiple occasions since Trump took office, cheering on Trump’s talk of making Canada the 51st state. 

Smith’s office responded to criticism of the PragerU event by pointing out Shapiro’s online platform, which reaches millions of people. 

Smith has been actively engaging with right wing influencers since Trump’s election, including an appearance on Jordan Peterson’s podcast and a controversial visit to Mar-a-Lago to bring Alberta’s case to the Trump administration in an attempt to secure a tariff exemption on energy exports.

A conversation with another far-right commentator with a massive following, former FOX host Tucker Carlson, drew significant attention in the summer. Carlson has called on America to invade Canada and “liberate” it.

The Premier’s latest moves appeal to a significant portion of her political base. Following policy announcements that included prohibition on gender reassignment surgery, bans on puberty blockers for children 15 and under, among others, Smith was celebrated by far-right culture war figures including James Lindsay.

Lindsay had recently spoken in Alberta at a high profile event organised by Take Back Alberta captains, at the time an organization of Smith supporters who campaigned in large numbers to land Smith in her leadership role to significant effect.

Lindsay, who regularly spreads “groomer” rhetoric against the LGBTQ2SA+ community and promotes conspiracy theories about a communist world takeover, praised Smith for her “compassion and compromise.”

Lindsay spent the rest of the afternoon boosting far-right accounts on Twitter/X praising the Premier.