Overview

• Danielle Smith plans to attend a Florida fundraiser co-headlined by Ben Shapiro, citing the event as a strategic move to influence U.S. officials on tariff policies.
• Critics, including Alberta's Opposition NDP, accuse Smith of associating with extremist views and misusing taxpayer funds for political purposes.
• Smith has faced backlash for allegedly asking U.S. officials to delay tariffs to benefit the federal Conservative Party during the Canadian election.
• The trip's timing has drawn additional criticism for coinciding with Laylatul Qadr, a significant night for Alberta's Muslim community, which some view as insensitive.
• Smith and her chief of staff defend the trip as a courageous and patriotic effort to protect Alberta's economic interests against U.S.-Canada trade tensions.