Prime Minister of Alberta Danielle Smith Facing calls to cancel an appearance speaking with the personality of the conservative media Ben Shapiro during a fundraising for Prageru based in Florida.
A conservative content company, it describes itself as an educational media platform devoted to the promotion of American values. Its content, approved for use in schools by several states, has been criticized for having minimized the misdeeds of slavery and climate change and distorting historical events.
Shapiro, co-founder of the conservative media company The Daily Wire and former editor-in-chief of Breitbart News, has passed homophobic and transphobic comments.
More recently, he made publications on social networks on Canada becoming the 51st state of the United States
“When we take Canada, you will be expelled in Panama to work on the canal,” Shapiro published on X in response to a position published by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in January.
Smith also appeared in a Breitbart News radio program during the weekend.
According to the Prageru website, Smith must appear with Shapiro during an “gala of the East Coast” in Florida on March 27. Tickets are sold for US $ 1,500.
Alberta NPD chief NAHEED NENSHI said on Monday that he would be “despicable” for the first first of the united conservative party to speak during fundraising and called him to cancel.
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“They are not the kind of people with Albertans want it to associate,” Nenshi told journalists. “She can feel comfortable in right -wing extremist places, but right now we need an adult government.”
Sam Blackett, Smith press secretary, said in a statement that the event gives the Prime Minister the opportunity to share the message from Canada while the trade war between the two countries continues.
“Ben Shapiro has millions of followers on social networks, solid links in the administration of President Donald Trump and believes that the United States should reduce prices in Canada,” Blackett said.
“During this event, the Prime Minister will be able to share the message of Alberta and Canada with an active American audience, committed and influence in the middle of the current trade war.”
Last week, the American president imposed 25% prices on Canadian products, as well as a 10% levy from energy products, only to announce sculptures on a range of goods two days later.
Canada and the provinces have introduced commercial reprisals in response. Alberta has paused for American alcohol purchases and aims to award government contracts to Canadian businesses above those American.
Smith’s travel costs for Florida fundraising must be paid with taxpayers’ dollars, added Blackett, as it is considered a plea trip.
Nenshi said that the trip, at a time when many Canadians were trying to keep their money inside the country’s borders, sends the bad message to the Albertains.
“This American tour will not reduce Trump’s prices, but it will send a signal to the Albertains that Danielle Smith is focused on her extremist base, not on them,” said Nenshi.
“Danielle Smith should cancel this event immediately and focus on the priorities of the Albertans, not those of her extremist friends.”
Timothy Caulfield, professor of law and director of the University of Alberta University Institute, also criticized Smith’s participation in the event, calling “extremely problematic”.
“Prageru and Shapiro are sources of disinformation, polarization and rage,” said Caulfield, who wrote several books on disinformation and how he spreads.
“This fact that she thinks it is a normal thing for a Prime Minister who speaks (how far) the burrow of the rabbit she has fallen.”
Smith was criticized last year to appear on stage with the former animator of Fox News Tucker Carlson at events in Calgary and Edmonton.
Carlson disinfreated on questions ranging from the attack on the American Capitol to the Russian War in Ukraine. He was also a vocal supporter of the “convoy for freedom” of 2022.
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