The 2024 Canadian Politician of the Year: Danielle Smith

[Brent]

I don't know a lot about her, but I like how she stands up to Trudeau's bullying.

Throughout this past year as Canadians have suffered from the personal agendas and ineptitude of their politicians, one political figure has stood out in defining responsible and effective leadership. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is exemplifying principled governing that is serving the best interests of the country and benefiting its citizens. For her tireless efforts in advancing the country's standing both as a functioning confederation and an independent nation, Smith is "The 2024 Canadian Politician of the Year."

A principled politician

One aspect that sets her apart from many of Canada's elected representatives is that Smith is continuously demonstrating in speech and deed her creditable character. She is intellectually and politically astute. She is thoughtful and articulate, as well as reasonable and respectful in addressing thorny and contentious issues. Most impressive in this day and age of "personality politics," Smith has established she is principled both in her politics and in her approach to governing.

Smith has been described as everything from a libertarian to a populist; she identified herself in a 2023 Calgary Sun interview as a "caring conservative". In 2022, Smith won the leadership of the United Conservative Party (UCP), and the following year led them to win a majority government with a mandate to defend Albertans' economic and political interests. In November 2024, she garnered a solid 91.5 per cent approval rating in her party's leadership review. At the UCP conference she observed, "We are seeing a rise in common-sense conservative policies and principles gaining traction and momentum right across the country." In many ways, Smith is the face of that common-sense conservativism, recognized as an unabashed conservative premier who is advancing responsible fiscal policies, free markets, and individual freedom and responsibility.

We R Conservative, the grassroots group of conservative-minded individuals across the country, list a number of admirable attributes that has Smith standing out among her peers: "loves her province and country and works tirelessly to keep both strong"; "determined, doesn't back down from controversial issues, stands her ground and provides facts as to why she's doing something"; "smart, focused, mind like a trap, [with an] ability to recall information and details and present them clearly"; and "tenacious about standing up for the energy industry and province". The conservative organization also lauds that Smith is "principled and straightforward."

A nation builder

Smith is recognized throughout the country as a fierce defender of the country's oil and gas sector and Albertans' economic interests against a federal government that has as its mission the shutting down of the country's oil and gas production in favour of developing renewable energy resources. The Smith government has taken on Ottawa on a number of fronts respecting the oil and gas sector, including winning a Supreme Court of Canada decision against the federal "no more pipeline act," attacking the federal "employment transition plan" that would retrain oil and gas workers as "ill-conceived and short sighted," and launching a public relations campaign to explain the recklessness of the federal 2035 n et-zero electricity targets (something the Trudeau government has just backed away from admitting the timetable was unrealistic).

In 2024, Smith was most vocal in condemning the Trudeau Liberals for their oil and gas emissions cap policy designed to throttle down the production of oil and gas in Alberta by setting aggressive emissions targets for 2032. Smith has taken every opportunity to lash out at federal environment minister Steven Guilbeault as having a "deranged vendetta" against the oil and gas industry. Weeks ago, in response to the federal policy announcement, Smith introduced the provincial Sovereignty Act as a "constitutional shield" to "protect Alberta" against Ottawa's plans. Announcing her intention to put in place a mix of policy regulations and legislation, Smith stated, "We're fighting back with every weapon in our arsenal.... We're telling Ottawa your cap goes too far. This is not the way federal-provincial relations should be."

Even as Smith is fighting for the Canadian oil and gas sector, more significantly the Alberta premier is fighting to recast the prevalent attitudes of the country's political power structure, reconstituting the nation's model of confederation to make it fairer for all Canadians. Smith is, in effect, balancing the scales of power by challenging the Trudeau Liberals and their Laurentian-elite biases to treat all provinces equally. In an opinion piece published in the National Post, Chris Selley put it this way: "For years, it seemed like Ottawa just hoped the other provinces wouldn't notice as it gave Quebec pretty much everything it wanted, with much (though certainly not universal) agreement from wise-owl Laurentian pundits. But the other provinces did notice. And Ottawa has no answer except that some members of the federation are more equal than others."

Smith makes the further argument that this fight she has taken up will make for a stronger more economically dynamic nation. In a recent address in the Alberta Legislature, Smith was unapologetic in her attacks on the Trudeau government, "We cannot sit back and allow them to steamroll over the Constitution and we will not... We will make sure our friends, allies and trading partners have the resources they need. The world is changing their perspective on the need for energy security. I think what we have seen in the last five years is the fantasy vision of Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault that our entire economy can be powered on solar and wind and batteries has been blown out of the water. If we don't stand up now we risk so much more and that is not a risk I am willing to take."

A champion of Canada

Often at times of crisis, true leaders emerge – and, since American president-elect Donald Trump posed the threat of a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian goods, Smith has been stalwart in her presentation of the Canadian case for continued free trade between Canada and the United States.  Smith has met with American State Governors, appeared on U.S. news shows, announced a comprehensive provincial border security initiative, and in a few weeks will conduct key discussions with political offices in Washington D.C. while attending President-elect Donald Trump's Inauguration Party.

Smith has been factual in her replies to Trump's public criticisms of Canada. She emphasizes the importance of American energy security and the 4.3 million barrels of oil and gas Alberta sends daily to the U.S. She argues that millions of American jobs depend on Canadian resources, and Canadian trade contributes trillions of dollars to the American economy.  Her message to Trump was direct and sincere, "As a conservative premier in Canada, I believe we have two of the greatest countries on earth. We have fought and bled together in many wars, and built an incredible alliance and partnership. I really hope we can strengthen that partnership throughout your Presidency by securing our shared border as you've requested and partnering to protect our North American workers from unfair Chinese trade practices. Americans and Canadians will both benefit immensely from this."

Smith backed up her words by announcing a new Alberta border security patrol team to address drug smuggling, gun trafficking, and illegal crossing of the Alberta-Montana border. This Alberta action is a substantive response to Trump's criticism of the lax Canadian border services. She then took to social media and American news programs to broadcast Alberta's initiative. In a persuasive interview on Fox Business News, Smith asserted, "We have such a positive relationship with our integrated economy. We both benefit from it. So let's address the issues that are irritants and then maybe we can talk about a more constructive trade relationship." And then she gained the approval of the Fox reporters by claiming Alberta is considered the "Texas of the North."

Former Liberal MP and outspoken political pundit Dan McTeague recently assessed in a True North editorial that Smith is outmaneuvering her political peers with her proactive stance in Canadian-American relations. McTeague wrote, "While Trudeau indulges in virtue signaling and Ford in saber rattling, Danielle Smith is engaging in true statesmanship. That's something that is in short supply in our country these days.... Trump is playing chess while Justin Trudeau and Doug Ford are playing checkers. They should take note of Smith's strategy. Honey will attract more than vinegar, and if the long history of our two countries tell us anything, it's that diplomacy is more effective than idle threats."

In one of Smith's year-end interviews with the Calgary Herald, she was punchy in assessing the implosion of the Trudeau government and its implications for the country. "The only way you can solve this kind of chaos is to get a mandate. It is to have an election.... I think there's a real danger if this just drags on and on and on for months when we're right in the middle of a very serious threat from a biggest trading partner, the United States. The reason why I've had to take our argument to the Americans is I don't trust the federal government is organized enough to be able to do it."

With the leadership vacuum in Ottawa as it is, Canadians owe a debt of gratitude for the effectual stands being made by Smith. Many thanks to Smith for her efforts in 2024 and wishing her the best with her pursuits of behalf of Canadians in the new year.

https://niagaraindependent.ca/the-2024-canadian-politician-of-the-year-danielle-smith/

[Thiel]

I don't know a lot about her, but I like how she stands up to Trudeau's bullying.
 
https://niagaraindependent.ca/the-2024-canadian-politician-of-the-year-danielle-smith/

She is not a Ron Desantis, but she is the gutsiest Canadian premier.

[Brent]

She is not a Ron Desantis, but she is the gutsiest Canadian premier.

Most Canadian premiers are unimpressive. It's been that way for 25 years.

[DKG]

She is not a Ron Desantis, but she is the gutsiest Canadian premier.

The premier of Saskatchewan has the people's backs too. Ford is a tepid conservative.

[Herman]

Danielle Smith's leadership is strong and yes, it's driving the left crazy—but Danielle isn't focused on the noise. She's standing up for Alberta, like Scott Moe is for Saskatchewan protecting our energy, jobs, and future.

Meanwhile, Ottawa is rudderless with no leadership, no plan, no direction. Danielle is stepping up because Alberta can't afford to wait for Justine's failed government to act.

[Brent]

The premier of Alberta showed a lot of courage walking away from the joint comminique.

This is from Lorne Gunter of Sun News.

The Trudeau government becomes more convinced every day that Alberta oil is going to be their best weapon for fighting potential tariffs imposed on Canadian goods by the incoming Trump administration.

Alberta oil truly is an economically powerful weapon. One-quarter of all oil used in the United States comes from Canada. Not one-quarter of imported oil, but 25 per cent of all the oil, imported and domestic.

They fantasize about repeating the 1973 OPEC oil embargo which brought gasoline shortages in the U.S., long lines at gas pumps, skyrocketing prices and a slowing of the U.S. economy. At the time of the '73 embargo, OPEC controlled only slightly more of oil imports to the U.S. than Canada controls now.

The feds, apparently, are giving off every indication that Alberta will be the sacrificial goat. They keep claiming publicly that "everything is on the table." However, similar embargoes are not being contemplated on, for instance, automobile parts from Ontario, or dairy products and electricity from Quebec.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith was right to walk away from Wednesday's meeting without signing the joint communique or participating in the joint news conference.

And that brings up the second reason the Trudeau Liberals are considering using Alberta oil as their battering ram: Politics.

Quebec exports enough electricity to the Americans to cause blackouts (or at least brownouts) in much of the U.S. Northeast if that supply were cut off. But the Liberals also instinctively know the economic costs to Quebec of an electricity embargo. By extension, they also know the political consequences for their party if they made Quebecers suffer for the common good of all Canadians.

Far better for Liberal fortunes in the next election to heap all the economic pain on one province that doesn't vote Liberal anyway — Alberta. Ninety per cent of Canada's oil exports to the U.S. come from Alberta.

Smith has to protect Alberta's oil and gas industry because everyone else at that table — the prime minister and the other premiers — would roll over on our energy sector to protect their own provincial economies.

And never doubt that the Liberals would just love for Alberta to be portrayed as the problem child of Confederation so they could fight the next election under the banner "Vote for us, to protect Canada from Trump, Poilievre and Alberta."

[DKG]

This is how we can build a true "Team Canada" approach—one that strengthens our economy, protects jobs, and ensures Alberta and Canada can thrive on the global stage.

1. Stop threatening livelihoods. End any talk of energy export taxes or bans that hurt tens of thousands of hardworking Albertans and Canadians.

2. Diversify markets. Immediately begin construction on the Northern Gateway and Energy East pipelines, ensuring our oil and gas can reach Europe, Asia, and even our own country.

3. Make the case for Canadian energy. Tell Germany, Japan, and the rest of the world that Canadian oil and gas is a reliable and responsible choice for energy security.

4. Repeal harmful policies. Scrap the unconstitutional production cap, the overreaching electricity regulations, and Bill C-69, which are killing jobs and investment.

5. Treat Alberta as an equal partner. Recognize the hundreds of billions of dollars Alberta taxpayers have transferred to Quebec, the Maritimes, and Ontario for decadesand respect the contributions we've made to this country.

[DKG]

Where was "Team Canada" when Northern Gateway was vetoed in 2016, losing us 525,000 barrels per day in export capacity?
Instead of addressing the court's requirements for Indigenous consultation, the federal government killed the project outright and banned tankers on the northwest coast.

Where was "Team Canada" when Energy East was cancelled in 2017?
Quebec and Ontario imposed unnecessary, duplicative reviews, creating endless regulatory uncertainty. Ottawa offered no support, and the project was lost, along with the chance to ship 1 million barrels per day to the East Coast.

Where was "Team Canada" when provinces like British Columbia blocked pipelines?
B.C. imposed unconstitutional conditions on Trans Mountain, which the courts struck down in 2019. Before that, in 2018, they tried to restrict diluted bitumen shipments, threatening Alberta's economy and delaying progress.

And where is "Team Canada" now?
Ottawa has imposed Bill C-69, the "No More Pipelines" Act, and an unconstitutional production cap. They're introducing electricity regulations that harm Alberta's competitiveness and passing laws like Bill C-59 that silence the voices supporting Alberta's energy.

[Brent]

Smith's defiant stance means Liberal election organizers will try to win votes in central Canada by making Alberta the bogeyman of Confederation. Again.

It seems pretty clear what the rest of the participants Wednesday's summit are doing, especially Trudeau and Ontario Premier Doug Ford.

Alberta was the first government in Canada to take concrete action to stop the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs, which is president-elect Donald Trump's ultimate goal.

It's true trade wars can take on lives of their own, but Trump didn't issue his tariff threat to protect domestic American industries. He made them to get our federal government to take border security and fraudulent immigration more seriously.

Yet at Wednesday's session, no one seemed interested in addressing Trump's real concerns. There was scant discussion of the Trudeau Liberals' border security plans, which are pathetically weak. Yet the tariffs (and all the employment and economic pain that go with them) might be avoided if Canada presented a serious, robust plan to stop illegal immigrants and drug traffickers from using Canada as a jumping off point for entry to the U.S.

Here's a suggestion: Before we head into a full-scale trade war with our largest trading partner, maybe we should try beefing up our border security, first.

[Herman]

This was written by former Liberal MP Dan McTeague

Ford and Trudeau are playing checkers. Trump and Smith are playing chess
https://www.affordableenergy.ca/news/ford-and-trudeau-are-playing-checkers-trump-and-smith-are-playing-chess/?fbclid=IwY2xjawH6d-RleHRuA2FlbQEwAGFkaWQAAAYETI-F-wEdyuiOALg40FnH554bO5LkupjVcYESfKBKleAQxu9ujKSljy-TbOJ7RDZ1_aem_QxXgfk6qE9IVJAo9oP-ZWA
here's no doubt about it: Donald Trump's threat of a blanket 25% tariff on Canadian goods (to be established if the Canadian government fails to take sufficient action to combat drug trafficking and illegal crossings over our southern border) would be catastrophic for our nation's economy. More than $3 billion in goods move between the U.S. and Canada on a daily basis. If enacted, the Trump tariff would likely result in a full-blown recession.

It falls upon Canada's leaders to prevent that from happening. That's why Justin Trudeau flew to Florida two weeks ago to point out to the president-elect that the trade relationship between our countries is mutually beneficial.

This is true, but Trudeau isn't the best person to make that case to Trump, since he has been trashing the once and future president, and his supporters, both in public and private, for years. He did so again at an appearance just the other day, in which he implied that American voters were sexist for once again failing to elect the nation's first female president, and said that Trump's election amounted to an assault on women's rights.

Consequently, the meeting with Trump didn't go well.

But Trudeau isn't Canada's only politician, and in recent days we've seen some contrasting approaches to this serious matter from our provincial leaders.

First up was Doug Ford, who followed up a phone call with Trudeau earlier this week by saying that Canadians have to prepare for a trade war. "Folks, this is coming, it's not 'if,' it is — it's coming... and we need to be prepared."

Ford said that he's working with Liberal Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland to put together a retaliatory tariff list. Spokesmen for his governmentfloated the idea of banning the LCBO from buying American alcohol, and restricting the export of critical minerals needed for electric vehicle batteries (I'm sure Trump is terrified about that last one).

But Ford's most dramatic threat was his announcement that Ontario is prepared to shut down energy exports to the U.S., specifically to Michigan, New York, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, if Trump follows through with his plan. "We're sending a message to the U.S. You come and attack Ontario, you attack the livelihoods of Ontario and Canadians, we're going to use every tool in our toolbox to defend Ontarians and Canadians across the border," Ford said.

Now, unfortunately, all of this chest-thumping rings hollow. Ontario does almost $500 billion per year in trade with the U.S., and the province's supply chains are highly integrated with America's. The idea of just cutting off the power, as if you could just flip a switch, is actually impossible. It's a bluff, and Trump has already called him on it. When told about Ford's threat by a reporter this week, Trump replied "That's okay if he does that. That's fine."

And Ford's calls for national unity – "We need to stand united as Canadians!" – in context feels like an endorsement of fellow Electric Vehicle fanatic Trudeau. And you do wonder if that issue has something to do with it. After all, the two have worked together to pump billions in taxpayer dollars into the EV industry. Just over the past year Ford and Trudeau have been seen side by side announcing their $5 billion commitment to Honda, ortheir $28.2 billion in subsidies for new Stellantis and Volkswagen electric vehicle battery plants.

Their assumption was that the U.S. would be a major market for Canadian EVs. Remember that "vehicles are the second largest Canadian export by value, at $51 billion in 2023 of which 93% was exported to the U.S.,"according to the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers Association, and "Auto is Ontario's top export at 28.9% of all exports (2023)."

But Trump ran on abolishing the Biden administration's de facto EV mandate. Now that he's back in the White House, the market for those EVs that Trudeau and Ford invested in so heavily is going to be much softer. Perhaps they'd like to be able to blame Trump's tariffs for the coming downturn rather than their own misjudgment.

In any event, Ford's tactic stands in stark contrast to the response from Alberta, Canada's true energy superpower. Premier Danielle Smith made it clear that her province "will not support cutting off our Alberta energy exports to the U.S., nor will we support a tariff war with our largest trading partner and closest ally."

Smith spoke about this topic at length at an event announcing a new $29-million border patrol team charged with combatting drug trafficking, at which said that Trudeau's criticisms of the president-elect were, "not helpful." Her deputy premier Mike Ellis was quoted as saying, "The concerns that president-elect Trump has expressed regarding fentanyl are, quite frankly, the same concerns that I and the premier have had." Smith and Ellis also criticized Ottawa's progressively lenient approach to drug crimes.

(For what it's worth, a recent Léger poll found that "Just 29 per cent of [Canadians] believe Trump's concerns about illegal immigration and drug trafficking from Canada to the U.S. are unwarranted." Perhaps that's whysome recent polls have found that Trudeau is currently less popular in Canada than Trump at the moment.)

Smith said that Trudeau's criticisms of the president-elect were, "not helpful." And on X/Twitter she said, "Now is the time to... reach out to our friends and allies in the U.S. to remind them just how much Americans and Canadians mutually benefit from our trade relationship – and what we can do to grow that partnership further," adding, "Tariffs just hurt Americans and Canadians on both sides of the border. Let's make sure they don't happen."

This is exactly the right approach. Smith knows there is a lot at stake in this fight, and is not willing to step into the ring in a fight that Canada simply can't win, and will cause a great deal of hardship for all involved along the way.

While Trudeau indulges in virtue signaling and Ford in sabre rattling, Danielle Smith is engaging in true statesmanship. That's something that is in short supply in our country these days.

As I've written before, Trump is playing chess while Justin Trudeau and Doug Ford are playing checkers. They should take note of Smith's strategy. Honey will attract more than vinegar, and if the long history of our two countries tell us anything, it's that diplomacy is more effective than idle threats.

[Brent]

Trump said again before the new February 1 deadline that Canada must do something to stop illegal aliens and fentanyl from entering the States.

Retaliatory tariffs are not going to work.

This editorial was in Sun New Media.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith lays blame on Trudeau as Trump eyes Feb. 1 tariffs
Smith said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has damaged relationships with the current administration, placing Canada in a complicated position.
"If there's a failure of leadership, and if there's a damage to the relationship, it's 100 per cent at the feet of Justin Trudeau"

Smith said there is a deal to be made and that she does not believe in "no-win" situations.

"I think that we are looking at this reprieve as being an opportunity for us to make the case about why we should continue to be tariff-free," Smith said. "But we do have to be prepared that if (Trump is) looking at tariffs as a revenue source then it's going to require a bit of a different result from us.

"I don't know that this particular administration, this particular president, responds well to threats, especially empty threats. If he wants more energy security, then you should be talking about how you can provide energy security, not making the conversation about energy security undermined."

"We're thinking in terms of 25 per cent on Mexico and Canada, because they're allowing vast numbers of people," Trump said.

"Canada's a very bad abuser, allows vast numbers of people to come in and fentanyl to come in."

Smith said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has damaged relationships with the current administration, placing Canada in a complicated position.

"If there's a failure of leadership, and if there's a damage to the relationship, it's 100 per cent at the feet of Justin Trudeau," Smith said.

"All I can do is try to repair and build relationships that should have been repaired and built over the last four years."

Smith said at this time it is up to the premiers who will be "consistent voices" and have longer mandates to maintain relationships until a new Prime Minister is elected in Canada.

The Alberta premier has been criticized by her counterparts and Trudeau for not taking a "Team Canada" approach.

During her time speaking with U.S. officials Smith said she has been making a case for both Alberta and Canada as a whole.

"I've been asking for recognition that this important trade relationship means Canada should get a carve-out," Smith said.

Canada must implement strategies to maintain 'special status'
Smith's optimism from Monday prior to Trump announcing a date to impose tariffs remained on Tuesday.

She said there are several strategies Canada can implement in order to maintain the country's "special status" and promote positive relationships with the U.S., including doubling down on border control and cracking down on all "immigration strings and loopholes" that allow individuals who are "hostile" to both countries from entering.

In a "win-win," Canada would negotiate so the U.S. could buy more oil, timber and agricultural products from Canada, while Canada could buy more American gas turbines, and military equipment. Smith added there has to be a "major acceleration" of Canada's 2 per cent of GDP NATO commitment which Smith said needs to be done to demonstrate to the U.S. that Canada is a reliable partner in energy security.

Repealing federal "anti-energy policies" would also be included.

"I think it's incumbent upon all of the premiers to make sure that we're making our own case very loudly, very strongly in order to be able to avoid tariffs," Smith said.

According to figures from Smith's office, the U.S. is Alberta's largest trading partner. In 2023, Alberta's exports to the U.S. totalled USD $115.58 billion, accounting for about 90 per cent of total provincial exports in 2023. Of that, energy products accounted for about USD $94.4 billion.

On Monday, Quebec Premier François Legault suggested at a news conference that the federal government should compensate provinces that would be hardest hit by a Canadian response to Trump's 25 per cent tariffs.

"If a province like Alberta had to make efforts that cost more than all the provinces, there should be compensation from the federal government. The idea is to make Canada win, but not necessarily to make one province pay more than another," Legault said.

Smith said it was a "premature discussion" and that she is not counting on any dollars at the moment.

[Lokmar]

Trump said again before the new February 1 deadline that Canada must do something to stop illegal aliens and fentanyl from entering the States.

Retaliatory tariffs are not going to work.

This editorial was in Sun New Media.

America and Americans as a majority are sick of all the injustice of coddling criminals, drugs, and countries who facilitate that shit coming here. We got pissed off and tossed a bunch of politicians here who facilitated it, of course now our attention has turned to neighboring countries.

I'll say this, them mexcrement drug cartels best be digging a DEEP hole to hide in. We're gonna be fucking things up in Mexico shortly!!!! That dumb jew beaner cunt running mexico best toe the Trump line too else she's gonna get eaten by her own fukin peons!

[Herman]

Ontario Premier Doug Ford, head of the premiers' conference, is busy grandstanding and seemingly unaware most of the domestic oil consumed in Ontario and Quebec comes through a pipeline that crosses through North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan, which means it could be shut down by Americans if Canada decides (as Ford has proposed) to get tough and embargo oil to the U.S.

Then there's the little fact that while Canada is the source of 60% of oil imported by the U.S., there is no guarantee it will stay that way. If we act tough, other countries would be more than happy to fill the void and Canada might never recover its market share.

It's a carnival of clowns with no obvious ringmaster.

Only Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has suggested making contact with Trump and his officials to show our country is serious about their biggest concerns — illegal immigration and illegal drugs entering the States from Canada. And Smith has been scoffed at for not playing nicely with the other Canadian leaders.

There's a downside for the Americans, of course. Over 25 of their refineries, producing more than a quarter of their petroleum products, are tooled to handle Canada's heavy oil and cannot be re-tooled easily, quickly or cheaply to refine lighter grades.

[Brent]

There does seem to be some movement in the Alberta premier's direction.

This was in Sun News Media.

It is a good thing Smith stood her ground and ignored the voices telling her to sign on to Team Canada and forget about standing up for Alberta and their biggest industry.

You want some good news.

Things are looking up. Not break out the champagne up. Not even buy a round of beer up.

But still an up. She's moving the ball down the field.

Smith is scoring points with some of the premiers of this country.

She has not won the day but the situation is better than a few days back when she was being called out for not being a team player and disrupting national unity and idiots were calling her a traitor and actually meaning it.

The premier puts out a statement Wednesday.

Here's a slice.

Smith sees "a growing consensus" on .... are you ready for this?

"The necessity of consulting with and securing consent from individual provinces before cutting off or placing export tariffs on key exports from those provinces."

Smith opposes restricting or taxing Alberta oil to the U.S.

Here's another.

The importance of building more pipelines east and west.

More border security. Let's see the drones and the dogs and the cameras and the boots on the ground and show Trump that Canada finally means business.

Before we go on, let's remind each other how it was not so long ago when Smith was crucified by politicians and much of the chattering classes and the press because she does not believe everything is on the table in dealing with President Donald Trump hitting U.S.-bound Canadian goods with tariffs.

Let it be noted the cross-country scolding occurred even though Smith's view is echoed by many wise sorts, including the esteemed economist Trevor Tombe, who wrote how the Alberta premier was right to push back.

"It's common for political leaders to say all options are on the table but bad ideas really shouldn't be," wrote the man who knows his way around numbers.

There are 200,000-plus jobs tied up with oil and gas exports to the U.S. and four in 10 of those jobs are outside Alberta.

To say nothing of all the billions helping out other provinces through equalization.

As everyone who is paying attention knows, Smith is a big supporter of diplomacy and stayed after the Trump inauguration to chinwag with even more American political players about why Trump tariffs are not good for anybody.

Smith believes there has to be more talk with the other premiers but, from her point of view, Team Canada is at least moving closer to a tariff-fighting position the Alberta premier can sign off on.

Listen to Quebec Premier Francois Legault.

"It is important that if we ask a province to make a special contribution that the province agrees."

There you go.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford, ready to go to the polls in his province within days, talks about Energy East and Northern Gateway pipelines, more oil going west and east.

As for an Energy East cheerleader, there's also Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston.

Ford says he understands Smith "wants to protect her main commodity."

He admits Smith hasn't moved an inch on her position. Alberta oil won't be a trade war sacrificial lamb.

Let's hear from Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, a fine fellow from a fine province.

In no way, shape or form does Moe want Canadian taxes on Canadian goods going stateside.

Moe believes there is no way the Canadian government should go after "the very products creating wealth for Canadians."

"It's pushing the conversation in the wrong direction," says the Saskatchewan premier.

As for Feb. 1 being the big day where Trump strikes with tariffs, there is a growing body of opinion saying the big day will be after April 1, when a report on U.S. trade issues hits Trump's desk.

No one knows for certain.

But many Canadians hope so.

After all, by then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be gone and a new government with a far tighter grip on reality will hopefully be in the saddle.

https://x.com/ABDanielleSmith/status/1882161375721451728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1882161375721451728%7Ctwgr%5E2a5da7c14b5cf75804f12c3d9ad18de2103aa3a4%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalgaryherald.com%2Fopinion%2Fcolumnists%2Fbell-danielle-smith-doesnt-blink-scores-points-team-canada&mx=2

[Herman]

Danielle Smith calls for a federal Canadian border czar.