Smith secures tickets to Trump’s inauguration ceremony

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is now officially on the list to attend President-elect Donald Trump's January 20 inauguration ceremony and its surrounding events.

Smith in November announced she would go to the inauguration, but planned to attend a gathering at the Canadian Embassy while in Washington, rather than to the official White House events.

According to her office, Smith scored the tickets for the ceremony at the US Capitol through the Washington trade office.

“Following the Inauguration, the premier hopes to meet with energy groups, congresspeople, and various officials,” wrote Smith’s office in a statement to the National Post.

Since Trump’s announcement last month that he plans to impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico until America's neighbouring countries get control of their weak borders, Smith has made efforts to establish relationships with incoming US officials.

The Alberta government is making moves to secure the border it shares with Montana, including spending millions on sending sheriffs, helicopters and drones to patrol the border.

Smith’s administration also pledged to work with the US independently of Ottawa to ensure Alberta energy will be accessible to Americans.

“I made the case that if there’s a 25% tariff, that’ll just increase gasoline prices in Nevada,” Smith recently told the Calgary Herald.

“In Colorado, it’s the same kind of argument — that all throughout this part of the country, the prices are being kept lower because of 4.3 million barrels of Canadian oil that has, as its destination point, refineries in America.”

“So, I lead with the conversation about energy.”

The Government of Canada also responded to Trump's tariff threat by promising drones and helicopters to be sent to help with securing the border and adjusting immigration policies.