Was it a snub? Or a missed connection? Danielle Smith explains handshake mix-up with Trudeau
Posted Feb 9, 2023 4:21 pm.
Last Updated Feb 10, 2023 9:42 am.
Premier Danielle Smith offered up clarification on the handshake that shook a nation.
During a press conference on her trip to Ottawa on Thursday, Smith says she had already exchanged a formal greeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau away from the cameras prior to their first meeting on Tuesday.
She admits she was merely surprised by round two and that her pulling back was not a snub.
“We’d already walked into the room and shaken his hand, so we’d already said our hellos, so we were going to our respective chairs waiting for the media to come in so I was taken a bit by surprise that he wanted to shake hands again so we missed the landing, it was a little bit awkward but we ended up having a really good conversation after that.”
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In addition to securing $500 million for health care, Smith described her conversation with the Prime Minister as good conversation and included a call to halt the introduction of so-called “just transition” legislation and an emissions reduction cap while working to bolster the energy industry.
She also warned Alberta would not be a pushover.
“If the PM chooses to slam the door in our face and moves unilaterally forward with Just Transition or other impossible and arbitrary emission targets or policies without Alberta’s involvement or agreement, Alberta will be relentless in our opposition.”
The nuanced approach is a far cry from the Premier’s often combative stance with Ottawa, which culminated with the introduction of the sovereignty act.
But political observers say it may be difficult for Smith to have her cake and eat it too.
“It’s tough to do both and it risks not being enough for those who want collaborative work with the federal government and those who are very suspicious of the federal government,” said Lori Williams, a political expert.
