Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she had a “meaningful fireside chat” with U.S. media personality Ben Shapiro during a non-profit conservative fundraiser in Florida this week, where she says she advocated for tariff-free trade between Canada and the United States.
Smith was a featured speaker at the PragerU 2025 East Coast Gala in Florida on March 27, where she shared the stage with Ben Shapiro, host of “The Ben Shapiro Show” and editor-in-chief of U.S. media company The Daily Wire. She said she talked about the current trade tensions between Canada and the United States, and shared Alberta’s “message” with a large American audience.
“I will always stand up for the best interests of Albertans and I’m grateful for the opportunity I had to share our message with hundreds of Americans tonight and thousands more via social media in the weeks to come.”
A day after the event, Shapiro discussed the issue of tariffs and inflation in the United States on his show.
“This is having an impact on President Trump’s approval ratings, particularly on the economy,” Shapiro said.
Smith said she is glad that Shapiro is making these comments following their event.
“While we may not agree on everything - we share the same message on this tariff dispute: it is bad for Canada and it is bad for the U.S.”
The Alberta Opposition NDP had been calling on the premier to cancel her appearance at the event since early March, saying she should not meet with Shapiro, whom they accused of being a “far-right extremist.”
The Epoch Times contacted Shapiro for comment. He has strongly rejected the label in the past, and asked those using the label for a redaction.
“In a time of economic and political uncertainty, Albertans need ethical, competent government,” she added. “Instead, Danielle Smith is engaging in self-serving political interference, cozying up to extremists, and abandoning her responsibility to Alberta.”
The NDP is also taking issue with Smith’s comments to U.S. media outlet Breitbart on March 8 that she had asked U.S. officials to pause tariffs while Canada undergoes a federal election, arguing that trade tensions have boosted support for the Liberals.
Smith has defended her comments and her plan to attend the Florida event, saying she is pushing for Canada’s interest.
“Well…here is my response to that. I will not be silent. Alberta will not be silent,” she added. “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.”
Meanwhile, Smith has firmly ruled out energy cuts or export taxes to the United States.