Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is facing mounting criticism following her recent comments during an interview with American right-wing news outlet Breitbart. In the interview, which took place on March 8, 2025, Smith suggested that she had asked the Donald Trump administration to pause tariffs on Canadian goods until after Canada’s federal election.
Smith expressed her concerns regarding how these tariffs, which she described as "unjust and unfair," seem to be inadvertently boosting support for the Liberal Party in Canada. "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," she told Breitbart.
In the interview, Smith articulated her belief that pausing tariffs would allow Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre to better position himself ahead of the election. "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," Smith added.
Reaction to Smith’s remarks has been swift and unrelenting. Opposition leader Naheed Nenshi criticized Smith for prioritizing political maneuvering over Canadian unity, asserting that her comments reflect a willingness to placate Trump amid pressing economic challenges. “Danielle Smith is more than happy to placate Trump during the worst economic crisis facing our country than she is willing to work with Canadians,” Nenshi stated in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
Also responding to the controversy, Liberal Leader Mark Carney pointedly referenced Smith’s comments during his call to dissolve Parliament and initiate an election scheduled for April 28, 2025. Carney indicated that Smith’s alignment of Poilievre with Trump raises serious questions for Canadian voters: “With respect to the premier’s comments: I take note of her alignment of Mr. Poilievre with Mr. Trump and would note that that’s one of the decisions that Canadians will have to make, whether they want a government that is unified, standing up for Canada, and taking focused action to build a better economy or they want division and Americanism,” he said.
Poilievre himself faced questions about Smith's comments during a campaign launch event in Gatineau, Quebec. While he refrained from directly addressing her remarks, he acknowledged Trump’s previous assertion that it would be easier to work with a Liberal government in Canada, saying, “The president thinks he will have it easier to deal with a liberal.” Poilievre has been attempting to distance himself from Trump and the Republicans, particularly as his party’s lead in recent polls has dwindled in light of the current political climate.
Recent polling data adds context to the political stakes; an Ipsos poll showed the Liberal Party gaining traction with 42% voter support compared to just 36% for the Conservatives, suggesting that the tariffs and trade tensions are significant issues for voters. The growing concern over Trump’s proposed "reciprocal tariffs" scheduled to take effect on April 2, 2025, further complicates the situation for Poilievre and the Conservative campaign.
In light of the backlash, Smith’s press secretary, Sam Blackett, issued a statement categorically denying the implication that the premier sought U.S. interference in Canadian elections. “Any suggestion that Smith asked the U.S. to interfere in Canada’s election is offensive and false,” Blackett emphasized, defending Smith’s position as one focused on the economic impact of tariffs on both nations.
Smith has reiteratively stated her concerns about the tariffs’ adverse effects, emphasizing that she has been working with other premiers to communicate these concerns to U.S. officials. As tensions rise and the election campaign gains momentum, Smith’s controversial remarks may prove to have lasting ramifications on the electoral landscape in Canada.
As the campaign officially kicked off on March 23, 2025, the political fallout from Smith’s statements, along with the ramifications of Trump’s policies, will undoubtedly continue to shape the discourse in the lead-up to the April election.
