Canada Finally Presented a United Front...Then Danielle Smith Opened Her Mouth

Why Danielle Smith's Short-Term Thinking Could Cost Canada Dearly.

Rallying Point

Back in early 2024, Prime Minister Trudeau announced a “Team Canada” approach in response to an impending new U.S. administration, with the goal to combat “whatever gets tossed at us”.

Flash-forward a year and Canada is staring down the barrel of a 25% tariff on all imported goods, a threat of annexation, and a national unity crisis.

How did we get here?

Last Wednesday, the Council of the Federation (aka a coalition of Canada’s most senior political leaders) came together for their latest First Minister’s Conference, launching a joint effort to show public unity between provincial Premiers and the federal government in the face of unprecedented economic threats.

The Chair of the Council, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, even quoted the old adage:

“United we stand, divided we fall.”

However, there was one glaring absence not present at the table.

Going Rogue

Just days before, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith hosted her own press conference from her hotel room bed, discussing the outcome of her weekend solo trip to Florida with constituents (ie her meeting with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump).

The outcome of her meeting was — at the very least — disappointing.

In her own words:

“I think we need to be prepared that tariffs are coming”.

Not exactly the outcome you would want after spending thousands of tax-payer dollars flying a high-level Alberta delegation ~9,000 kilometres to Florida and back.

Skilled diplomat she is not, it would seem.

Political scientists and analysts have already criticized Smith’s go-it-alone strategy as short-sighted, and have argued that it would likely to complicate Canadian negotiations with an incoming (seemingly hostile) American administration. And Smith’s impulsive move has angered many Canadians, not least of all — many Albertans.

Without having anything to show for it, some have even started to question — what was her real purpose going to Florida?

Smith v. Ottawa

So as you’ll recall, last Wednesday, Smith was physically absent from the First ministers’ conference. Just for further clarify her position, she refused to sign their joint statement, and declined to participate in the “Team Canada” approach.

Following the meeting, Smith openly shot down the idea to restrict energy exports or impose an energy export tax on the U.S. — in the event a 25% American tariff is forced on Canadian goods.

But it didn’t stop there.

Shortly after the Council’s press conference, Smith also issued her own public statement, instead highlighting a laundry list of grievances against the federal government. In the statement, she cited her own version of a “Team Canada” approach, which according to her includes:

• building more pipelines,

• removing emissions caps, and;

• transferring more federal dollars to Alberta.

Team Canada? Sounds more like Team ExxonMobil.

Playing into Trump’s Hand

Regardless of what her true motivations have been for “going nomad”, it’s clear that Smith’s decision to denounce a united Canada approach will significantly weaken our negotiating position with the U.S.

Let’s not forget — Canada’s top export to the U.S. is energy, predominantly oil and gas. In fact, we exported over $166 billion worth of energy products in 2023 alone!

Oil could be a major bargaining chip for Canada. Currently, America imports more than half its total oil from us (or over 4 million barrels every day!) Could you imagine the impact if we were to shut off the taps? Colossal.

Whether or not Canada wants to actually cut off oil exports to the U.S. in retaliation for tariffs is debatable. But that threat should be seen — by American negotiators — to be 100% on-the-table.

Having Premiers openly contradict each other — such as Smith’s rejection of a “Team Canada” approach or Legault’s support for Trump’s false claims about overrun borders — serves to weaken our country at a time when our very economic survival is at stake.

Let’s also not forget that 77% of our total exports go to the States! — all of which could be cut-off by an incoming 25% American tariff.

So what should we do?

It’s clear what needs to be done going forward, as so elegantly put by Martin Regg Cohn’s in his latest op-ed:

“The politician who loses his or her nerve loses all.

Canadians — whether in Alberta or Saskatchewan, Ontario or Quebec, can ill-afford to be fighting one another rather than facing off against Trump.”

Danielle Smith, take note.