Alberta Premier Danielle Smith did not break any rules when she urged the Trump Administration to delay tariffs on Canada, hoping to bolster Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre’s chances in the upcoming federal election, said Canada’s chief electoral officer on Monday.
Liberals are currently climbing in polls as they position themselves as defenders of Canada against U.S. aggression. In recent weeks, the Conservatives have lost a significant lead as the Liberals ramp up their rhetoric against U.S. President Donald Trump.
Audio from Smith’s March 8 interview with Breitbart News has surfaced, in which she said, “Pierre Poilievre is the name of the Conservative Party leader, and he was miles ahead of Justin Trudeau, but because of what we see as unjust and unfair tariffs, it’s actually caused an increase in support for the Liberals."
Smith added, “And so that’s what I fear, is that the longer this dispute goes on, politicians posture and it seems to be benefiting the Liberals right now. So, I would hope that we could put things on pause is what I have told the (Trump) administration officials — let’s just put things on pause so we can get through an election.”
Smith is now being accused of election interference.
On Monday, Canada’s Chief Electoral Officer, Stéphane Perrault, was asked by a reporter, “Alberta Premier Danielle Smith told a U.S. podcast that she asked the Trump admin to pause tariffs until after Canadian election in hopes of seeing a conservative win, do you consider that elections interference?”
Perrault responded, “Elections interference is something that is not a term that’s used in the Elections Act, but there’s a number of provisions in the act that may be relevant to foreign interference. So for example, there is a provision on undue influence by foreign entities. There are rules on spending and third party activities. The facts that you refer to do not trigger any of these.”
Smith fired back against critics in a statement.
“For the last several months, I, and many of my fellow premiers, have been working relentlessly to convince U.S. officials at all levels just how damaging threatened tariffs will be to both Canadians and Americans," she said.
"I’ve also repeatedly asked those same officials to refrain from placing any tariffs on Canadian goods until a proper renegotiation of CUSMA can be held following our federal election with a prime minister that has won a mandate from Canadians to negotiate with the U.S. president."
Smith added, "Now that an election has been called I would reiterate my hope that the United States would refrain from placing tariffs on their closest ally and largest trading partner during the middle of the election."
Smith concluded, "I, along with the vast majority of Albertans, are obviously concerned with how vulnerable and weak the Liberal government has left our country after the last 10 years of anti-resource development policies, and I have yet to see any meaningful commitment to reverse those policies that warrants giving them a fourth consecutive mandate. However, that decision is ultimately up to Canadians.”