Did you know Premier Danielle Smith?

Danielle Smith is a Canadian politician who has served as the 19th Premier of Alberta and is the current leader of the Wildrose Party, a right-wing political party in the province. As of my knowledge cutoff in 2021, she does not hold the position of premier. However, she previously served as the third leader of the Wildrose Party from 2009 to 2014 and as the leader of the Official Opposition in Alberta from 2012 to 2014.

Danielle Smith was born on April 1, 1971, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. She comes from a family with a background in the oil and gas industry. Her father, Allan Smith, worked as a geologist, and her mother, Lois Smith, was involved in the administrative side of the industry. Danielle has one sibling, an older brother named Allan Smith.

Smith's personal life includes her marriage to her husband, David Morin, who is a businessman and investment banker. Together, they have two children.

Smith attended the University of Calgary, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. She later went on to work in the private sector, including stints in public relations, communications, and the oil and gas industry. She became involved in politics through her advocacy for property rights and fiscal responsibility.

Her political career began when she was elected to the Alberta Legislative Assembly in 2008 as a member of the Wildrose Party. She gained prominence for her outspoken opposition to the Progressive Conservative government's policies and her advocacy for a more conservative approach to governance.

During her tenure as leader of the Wildrose Party, she was known for her strong stance against government overspending and for supporting the oil and gas industry. However, she also faced criticism for some of her more controversial views, including those on social issues such as same-sex marriage and climate change.

In 2014, Danielle Smith made a surprise move when she and eight other Wildrose MLAs crossed the floor to join the Progressive Conservative Party, which was then led by Alberta's premier, Jim Prentice. This decision was met with controversy and ultimately contributed to the demise of the Wildrose Party as a significant opposition force in Alberta politics.

After leaving politics, Smith worked as a radio talk show host and a columnist for the Calgary Herald. She later re-entered politics by joining the United Conservative Party (UCP), which was formed in 2017 through a merger between the Progressive Conservative Party and the Wildrose Party. She served as a UCP MLA from 2019 to 2022, representing the constituency of Brooks-Medicine Hat.

In March 2022, Danielle Smith decided to leave the UCP to run for the leadership of the Wildrose Party, which had been rebranded as the Wildrose Independence Party of Alberta. She was successful in her leadership bid and is now advocating for Alberta sovereignty and a more decentralized approach to Canada's federal system.

Her family life has been relatively private, and she often speaks about the importance of balancing her political career with her responsibilities as a wife and mother. Throughout her time in public office, she has maintained a strong presence in her community and is known for her commitment to Alberta's values and interests.