Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s office confirmed that she will attend President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.
In a statement to National Post, Smith’s office said, “Following the Inauguration, the Premier hopes to meet with energy groups, congresspeople, and various officials.”
Smith previously released a $29 million border plan to bolster security.
“Together with federal law enforcement, we’ll ensure that our section of the American border is well-protected,” Smith said. “We’ll deny safe haven to criminals looking to operate in both countries, and if we succeed and maintain proper border security, I expect we’ll have a very strong relationship with the United States as we always have.”
The plan includes 51 officers, patrol dogs, drones, and narcotics analyzers, CBC Radio-Canada reported.
Smith has also declared she does not support tariffs on Canadian and U.S. goods.
“We’re meeting with our allies in the U.S., we’re making the case for Alberta oil and gas to be part of the solution to energy affordability, to energy security, and to, generally speaking, North American defence security, as well,” she said.
Trump recently joked, “If Canada can’t handle the tariffs, maybe it should become the 51st state.” He further called Prime Minister Justin Trudeau “governor.”
Trump has since urged hockey legend Wayne Gretzky to run for “Governor of Canada.”
“I just left Wayne Gretzky, ‘The Great One’ as he is known in Ice Hockey circles. I said, ‘Wayne, why don’t you run for Prime Minister of Canada, soon to be known as the Governor of Canada – You would win easily, you wouldn’t even have to campaign,’” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “He had no interest, but I think the people of Canada should start a DRAFT WAYNE GRETZKY Movement. It would be so much fun to watch!”
