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By Jack Farrell, The Canadian Press

Provincial Politics

Alberta’s Smith says she took private flight on behalf of Saudi government

Mar 18, 2026 | 12:05 PM

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she travelled on a private plane on behalf of the Saudi government last fall.

Smith says the provincial ethics commissioner had signed off on any non-commercial travel ahead of the trip and that it was proposed by the Saudi government for “more efficient travel.”

The premier’s office hasn’t discussed the flight publicly before but Smith confirmed it at a legislature committee meeting Tuesday when she answered questions about the province’s new budget.

Smith and a few members of her staff had travelled to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in the fall to discuss potential collaborations on energy development.

Smith says she first met the Saudi energy minister, Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud, a few years ago at an energy convention in Calgary.

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She says the pair’s friendship led the minister to invite her to visit and to be hosted by the government.

Smith says she also stayed in accommodation provided by her counterparts, which was social protocol and also approved by the ethics commissioner.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 17, 2026.