Danielle Smith Under Fire for Appeal to US as Canadian Election Looms

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has found herself facing intense scrutiny after audio emerged suggesting she asked officials in the US to delay trade actions that could benefit Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre’s electoral prospects in Canada.

The recorded comments, posted by journalist Courtney Theriault, featured Smith expressing her hope that the US would “put things on pause” until after the next federal election, noting that Poilievre’s positions were more in line with President Donald Trump and “the new direction of America.”

Thinking further: This is a sitting Premier asking our enemies – and there is no question that the current US administration is an enemy of a free and sovereign Canada – for help to influence a Canadian election for a federal party leader who better aligns with those enemies. https://t.co/n0CzcHMroP

— Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) March 23, 2025

In the audio, Smith pointed to growing frustration in Canada over the prospect of new tariffs imposed by the US. She also cited how this trade dispute was influencing public support for the current government, saying that “it seems to be benefiting the Liberals right now.”

Her apparent remedy was to request the US administration postpone any tariff decisions in order to avoid further boosts to the Liberal Party.

This is not ideal. https://t.co/kTPuXTKBAk pic.twitter.com/ddhRQOTBkm

— Andrew Leach (@andrew_leach) March 23, 2025

Smith released a statement insisting that her appeals to the US were rooted in a desire to protect Alberta’s economic interests, saying that “for the last several months, I, and many of my fellow Premiers, have been working relentlessly to convince U.S. officials at all levels just how damaging threatened tariffs will be.”

She also reiterated her hope that the White House would refrain from imposing new tariffs until a new mandate is secured by a Canadian prime minister following the election.

This is fine on the face of it, but, AHEM, the audio from Breitbart exists. She hasn't denied it. And this statement doesn't address the substance of what was actually said … and recorded. https://t.co/Shrz5B2OEj

— Matt Gurney (@mattgurney) March 23, 2025

For now, the federal Conservative Party has offered no direct repudiation of Smith’s remarks, and Poilievre has not provided a detailed response to the controversy.

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