Danielle Smith to Attend Trump Inauguration in Person
Danielle Smith with staff and Alberta office Washington -
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith will attend Donald Trump's inauguration next month instead of just watching from the Canadian embassy as planned.
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It was first reported in mid-November that Smith would be traveling to Washington, D.C., for the inauguration, but would not be present for the ceremony itself.
"The Prime Minister will attend and host several events leading up to the inauguration. The Prime Minister will also attend the inauguration on Capitol Hill and attend a Canadian embassy event that day. Following the inauguration, the Premier is expected to meet with energy groups, members of Congress and various officials," a spokesperson for Smith confirmed to True North. Although President-elect Donald Trump won the election on November 5, he will not take office until he is sworn in on January 20, 2025.
With an inauguration date yet to be set, Smith's schedule is not yet finalized and other events are expected to be added to the itinerary leading up to the event.
Alberta's representative office in Washington, D.C., has secured tickets to Trump's inauguration so that Smith can attend in person. Trump wrote on Social Truth on Wednesday that no one can explain why the United States subsidizes Canada to the tune of about $100 million a year.
"It doesn't make sense!" Many Canadians want Canada to become the 51st country. It would save them huge amounts of taxes and military protection. I think it's a great idea. The 51st State!!! Trump said. A recent Abacus Data poll found that a majority of Canadians want an election after Chrystia Freeland resigns. Only 11% want the Liberals to be re-elected.
However, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, who would likely take office if the election were held today, disagrees with Trump.
"My message to the new President Trump is that, first of all, Canada will never be the 51st state of the United States," Poilievre said.
Smith responded to Trump in an X-rated post, clarifying Canada's trade relationship with the United States. She said the trade deficit is a result of Canada, and Alberta in particular, sending billions in raw materials like oil, gas, minerals and more to refineries and factories in the United States before being "sold around the world, including to Canada — which Smith says is the U.S.'s "largest customer by far."
She added that millions of American jobs depend on these raw materials, which contribute trillions of dollars to the U.S. economy.
Alberta alone ships 4.3 million barrels of oil and gas to the U.S. every day, according to Smith.
"As the Conservative Prime Minister of Canada, I believe we have two of the greatest countries in the world. "We have fought and bled together in many wars and built a remarkable alliance and partnership," Smith said. "I truly hope that we can strengthen this partnership throughout your presidency by securing our shared border as you have called for and partnering to protect our North American workers from China's unfair trade practices." Americans and Canadians will benefit enormously.
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