Alberta Breaks With Other Provinces, Ottawa on Tariff Response, Says Cutting Energy Off the Table

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith talks with colleagues during the fall meetings of Canada's premiers hosted by Ontario in Toronto on Dec. 16, 2024. Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her province isn’t signing on to a joint statement by the prime minister and the premiers in response to U.S. tariffs because she doesn’t want to see energy exports cut as part of a possible retaliatory response.

Smith made the comments in a Jan. 15 social media post, while Canada’s other first ministers held a press conference following a meeting to discuss the country’s response to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s looming tariffs. Smith participated in the meeting virtually, but did not attend the closing media briefing or sign the joint statement.