Is Danielle Smith a traitor? That question exploded across social media after her recent interview with Breitbart — yes, that Breitbart, part of Steve Bannon’s cartoonishly villainous empire. And with it came the T-word: treason.
Treason feels like such an “old-timey” word though, doesn’t it? Like we half-expect someone in revolutionary garb to march a traitor up to a wooden platform while the crowd boos. And yet, here it is, rolling off Canadians’ tongues with surprising ease. Let’s be honest — we’re on edge. With the orange menace to the south casually threatening invasion (please don’t call it annexation. We all know that’s not what it would be), it’s no wonder people are twitchy.
We first heard shouts of treason when Ian Hanomansing did a radio interview with NPR, entertaining a hypothetical about Canada becoming the 51st state, and some people lost their damn minds. To be transparent, I identify as “some people” here. Then there’s Kevin O’Leary, who, in all his lecherous glory, pops up on CNN far too often pretending to speak for Canadians. Let’s be real: most of us would just as soon let a flock of angry Canadian geese tear a strip off him. And Wayne Gretzky — now referred to by some as Wayne Regretzky — has also had the T-word thrown at him too. Someone even went so far as to smear feces on his statue. To which I say: ewwww. Wayne doesn’t have to clean that up, people. Some poor city worker does. If you’re mad at him, just don’t buy his shitty wine, for heaven’s sake.
But I digress. The point is, treason has become the new hot take for Canadians with big feelings.
But here’s the thing: nothing has skated quite so close to actual treason as what Danielle Smith just did.
So is it? Is Danielle Smith actually a traitor? Let’s find out together, because I needed to know — and if you’re reading this, I’m guessing you do too.
What is Treason?
Under the Criminal Code of Canada, treason isn’t just a term for bad behaviour or shady politics. It has a specific legal definition — things like levying war against Canada, assisting an enemy during war, or attempting to overthrow the government by force. In short, it’s a high bar, and rightly so. We simply can’t throw people in jail for having offensive opinions or terrible political takes. If that were the case, our prisons would be full.
So no, Danielle Smith has not committed treason in the legal sense.
But should Canadians be alarmed by what she said? Abso-fucking-lutely.
So, Is Danielle Smith a Traitor?
In her interview with Breitbart, Smith essentially admitted to lobbying a foreign government to delay or manipulate trade policy because it might benefit her preferred political party in a federal election. Think about that. Not because it would help Alberta’s economy or Canadian jobs — although that’s the convenient excuse — but because it might stop the Liberals from gaining ground in the polls. Her exact words:
“Because of what we see as unjust and unfair tariffs, it’s actually caused an increase in support for the Liberals… I would hope that we could put things on pause, is what I’ve told administration officials.”
This is way more than a bad look. This is a sitting premier actively trying to influence a Canadian federal election by asking a foreign power — one currently embroiled in its own democracy crisis by the way — to manipulate economic pressure for partisan gain.
It may not be criminal treason, but it’s sure as hell a betrayal of democratic principles. And while she definitely has supporters in Alberta, she has most certainly become Public Enemy #1 across the rest of Canada to people of all political stripes.
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Because this is about more than partisanship. You can be a lifelong conservative and still be horrified by this. Our democracy relies on Canadian elections being decided by Canadians, not gamed through strategic backdoor lobbying with U.S. officials — especially those associated with Donald Trump’s chaotic return to the spotlight.
Why This Matters
We cannot afford to normalize this. We can’t shrug and say, “Well, it’s just Danielle being Danielle.” This isn’t a rogue tweet or a gaffe. It’s a calculated move from someone with real power. And with a majority government behind her in Alberta, she won’t face any consequences unless the public demands them.
So no, let’s not call it treason.
Let’s call it what it is: an abuse of power. An invitation to foreign interference. And a very clear warning sign that democratic norms are under threat in Canada — not just from the outside, but from within. And that should scare all of us.
If you’re angry, good. You should be. Don’t let that feeling go until you do something about it:
Write to Elections Canada to report potential foreign interference. Will it lead to consequences? Maybe, maybe not — but it puts pressure exactly where it belongs. Canadians need to start using the tools that actually move the needle. Social media posts are fine for preaching to the choir, but if you want real impact, use the democratic levers we’ve got. Not as sexy as a spicy share, I know, but it packs way more punch.
Contact your MLA if you’re in Alberta, even if you didn’t vote for them. Let them know this isn’t acceptable, no matter your politics.
Talk about it. Post, share, have the uncomfortable conversations. Stay true to your values. Don’t let this one quietly fade from view.
Democracy doesn’t erode all at once. It slips, bit by bit, when we stop paying attention.
Let’s pay attention.
