Danielle Smith's interview complicates Poilievre's election strategy

OTTAWA — An interview with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has sparked controversy at the start of the Canadian election campaign. The interview, published by Breitbart on March 8, went largely unnoticed until now. In it, Smith criticized former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for how he handled meetings with then-President Donald Trump, claiming Trudeau made Canada appear weak. Towards the end of the interview, Smith suggested that U.S. tariffs on Canada should be paused during the election season. She argued that these tariffs were benefiting the Liberals in the polls, stating concerns about their impact on her political rivals. She noted, “The longer this dispute goes on, it seems to be benefiting the Liberals right now.” Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who aims to focus on the Liberal government's record, found Smith's comments distracting on the campaign's first day. At his launch event, he indirectly acknowledged the situation by referring to Trump’s preference for dealing with a Liberal government. He stated, “The Liberals have weakened our country.” Liberal Leader Mark Carney welcomed questions about Smith’s remarks during his announcement to dissolve Parliament, leading to an election on April 28. Carney used the opportunity to compare Poilievre to Trump. He posed the crucial choice to Canadians, emphasizing whether they wanted a unifying government or one that promotes division. Opinion polls indicate that economic issues related to Trump’s tariffs, including ongoing threats to Canada, are top concerns for voters. As the political landscape unfolds, it appears Trump's influence on Canadian politics remains significant.