Smith defends purpose of trips to U.S., says she ‘will not be pushed around’

By Collin Gallant on March 27, 2025.

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Danielle Smith told the legislature Wednesday that she will continue to engage U.S. decision makers to hopefully avert a North American trade war while opposition politicians say she should do more to tamp down separatists and her own riding.

The premier and MLA for Brooks-Medicine Hat has been criticized for keeping speaking engagement dates this week with right-wing organizations in Florida, which she claims are part of a charm offensive to convince the Trump administration to work with Canada.

Before her departure Wednesday, she told the legislature, “I will not be silent. Alberta will not be silent.”

“We will not be pushed around and called traitors for merely having the courage to actually do something about our nation’s and province’s predicament other than merely indulging in self-righteous tantrums,” she said in a 1,500-word statement.

She said premiers and cabinet officials have been encouraged to publicly plead Canada’s case to Americans over tariffs, but says she’s been singled out because she’s not in step with the Liberal Party as it seeks another government mandate.

It comes after she issued a list of provincial grievances after a meeting with Liberal Leader Mark Carney last week just ahead of an election call.

A News story Tuesday reports that former Medicine Hat MP LaVar Payne hopes to force an independence vote this year and hopes to form a delegation to engage with Trump officials.

Alberta New Democrat Leader Naheed Nenshi said Smith’s statement about the effort – detailing an understanding of Albertans frustrations in confederation -should have been a clear denunciation, but wasn’t.

“This premier can’t say no to any outlandish idea presented to her, whether it’s chemtrails or the prospect of Alberta separatism,” Nenshi said in a statement to the News. “The problem is that she may actually be a separatist. Why else would she threaten to cause a national unity crisis if she doesn’t get her way? That’s dangerous talk that shows an appalling lack of judgment.”

Smith’s statement however, cited Nenshi and the provincial party and longstanding Conservative complaints about federal action on energy exports.

“The Carney Liberals and Nenshi NDP are right about one thing … our country is indeed vulnerable right now,” she said.

“It is because for the last 10 years, Liberal and NDP leaders across this country – both federal and provincial – have repeatedly sold out Canada and Alberta with policies that have landlocked our immense natural resources, made nation building projects impossible to finance and build, and have made securing access to our ports an exercise in frustration and futility.”

Critics also said Smith’s suggestion to the U.S. administration to hold tariffs until after the Canadian election was as an attempt to favour the chances of Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.

Federal politicians from all major parties have campaigned against tariffs, and soundly rejected overtures and called for Trump to tone down expansionist rhetoric.

Smith said the “Team Canada” approach has morphed into a “Team Carney” approach.

“Now, all of a sudden, it is treason to talk to American media personalities that we disagree with,” she told the legislature. “Indeed, it is a high crime to try and convince U.S. officials to refrain from imposing tariffs until after our country has an elected leader with a strong mandate.”

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