Danielle Smith to share the stage with Ben Shapiro at Florida PragerU event

Alberta taxpayers will pick up the tab for the premier to share a stage with U.S. political commentator Ben Shapiro at a South Florida fundraiser.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is set to share the stage with American political commentator Ben Shapiro at an event hosted by a conservative non-profit in Florida later this month.

Smith and Shapiro are scheduled to speak at PragerU’s 2025 East Coast Gala on March 27.

Shapiro is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Daily Wire—a right-wing American media company—and host of The Ben Shapiro Show.

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“At this event, the premier will be able to share Alberta and Canada’s message with an active, engaged and influential U.S. audience amidst the ongoing trade war,” Sam Blackett, the premier’s press secretary, said in a statement.

“Given this travel will be part of the premier’s advocacy in the U.S., the costs for the premier’s travel and accommodations will be covered by Alberta’s government.”

This is the only event scheduled during the premier’s trip to Florida, and she is not receiving a speaker fee, according to her office.

Smith’s team cited a recent video posted to TikTok last week where Shapiro said, “Canada is the number one trade partner of the United States, they are not a financial or economic or physical threat to the United States,” adding, “Treating them as such is not a wise move.”

“Given Ben Shapiro has millions of followers on social media, strong connections within President Donald Trump’s administration and believes the U.S. should lower tariffs on Canada … this event provides the opportunity for the premier to share and advocate for Alberta’s and Canada’s interests to millions of Americans and other key allies of the administration,” Blackett said.

Trevor Harrison, a political sociology professor at the University of Lethbridge, says the trip may fall outside the purview of the premier’s job.

“It’s all very nice that we want to try to attract friends or convince Americans, but if you were actually speaking with officials who can do something, that might make a little bit more sense,” he said.

“Remember, we just brought down a budget and it is warning about deficits and so these are very expensive trips.”

Earlier this year, Shapiro shared different views about Canada, responding to a post on X—formerly Twitter—from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Jan. 7, stating, “When we take Canada, you will be expelled to Panama to work the canal.”

PragerU describes itself as an “educational media platform dedicated to promoting pro-American values.”

The Prager University Foundation produces content that encourages conservative viewpoints, offering “a free alternative to the dominant left-wing ideology in culture, media and education.”

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation said it supports Smith’s participation, provided that costs are kept low.

“If she can get the Alberta oil and the Alberta message out in front of that crowd, that’s smart. That’s good value for money,” said Alberta director Kris Sims.

Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi criticized Smith’s attendance at the event, calling Shapiro an “extremist.”

“Danielle Smith loves nothing more than hanging out with right-wing extremists in the United States,” Nenshi told reporters.

“It’s where she gets her policy ideas. It’s where she gets her talking points. And it’s very clear it’s where she’s auditioning for her post-premier life.”

Joseph Schow, Alberta’s Tourism and Sport Minister, stressed the premier’s role is to advocate for the province’s best interests.

“The Premier’s job is to sell the province, sell our best interests and have a nose,” he said.

“The federal government is not going to do it.”