Danielle Smith defends interview with controversial podcast host Ben Shapiro. Courtesy/X

By Jayk Sterkenburg

PROVINCE

‘The way we move the dial’: Premier Smith defends controversial Florida event appearance

Mar 29, 2025 | 4:10 PM

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith defended her most recent trip to Florida on her radio show Saturday, saying she was spreading the word that tariffs are as bad for U.S. consumers as for Canadians.

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READ: Premier Smith, despite criticism, set to leave for U.S. event with far-right influencer

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Smith attended a fundraiser for PragerU in Florida on Thursday, where she was interviewed by conservative American podcaster Ben Shapiro, who Smith said is as opposed to tariffs as Canadians are.

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“I think this is the way we move the dial,” Smith said.

“We convince Americans, one-by-one, and the influencers around the President that tariffs are bad for both economies and we need to take a different approach.”

Smith was criticized by the Alberta NDP for attending the event at PragerU alongside Shapiro, but said the outcome of her trip and conversation did “exactly what we wanted to accomplish.”

“Yesterday, he devoted his entire podcast to talking about how terrible tariffs were for American businesses, America and North America,” Smith said.

Earlier this month, Alberta NDP leader Naheed Nenshi said it would be “despicable” for the premier to speak at the event.

“These are not the kind of people that Albertans want her associating with,” Nenshi said.

“She may feel comfortable in right-wing extremist places, but right now we need a grown-up government.”

Smith said Saturday that on the issue of tariffs, Shapiro and herself are in agreement — but said she did not 100 per cent agree with everything he said.

In addition to his view on tariffs, Shapiro has expressed support for U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed annexation of Canada, and has been labelled by critics as a “right-wing extremist”.

Smith said an issue she has also disagreed with is placing an export tax or restrictions on oil and gas, saying she is standing up for Albertans and, in doing so, will help prevent “massive escalation” in the trade war.

Smith was also asked by “Your Province, Your Premier” show host Wayne Nelson about Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Friday phone call with President Donald Trump.

The call involved Carney saying there would be a comprehensive reset of U.S.-Canadian trade deals following the April 28 federal election. Smith supported Carney’s comments.

“What I heard was a comprehensive renegotiation of free trade,” she said.

“That’s what all of us want.”