{"id":780225,"date":"2026-07-04T17:53:12","date_gmt":"2026-07-04T17:53:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/780225\/"},"modified":"2026-07-04T17:53:12","modified_gmt":"2026-07-04T17:53:12","slug":"smith-gets-cheers-and-jeers-riding-in-calgary-stampede-parade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/780225\/","title":{"rendered":"Smith gets cheers and jeers riding in\u00a0Calgary\u00a0Stampede parade"},"content":{"rendered":"

The\u00a0Calgary\u00a0Stampede parade<\/a> turned into a pseudo-referendum on Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on Friday, as she heard both cheers and jeers while riding shotgun on a wagon clip-clopping through the city\u2019s sun-baked downtown.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe love you, Danielle!\u201d some yelled as Smith, in a red cowboy hat and blue jeans, waved from the box seat of a horse-drawn cart with other United Conservative Party legislature members.<\/p>\n

Some in the crowd pointed at her and chanted her name, drawing out the two syllables: \u201cDan-yell! Dan-yell!\u201d<\/p>\n

Many waved back at the premier as she passed by. Cowboy hats and boots were abundant \u2014 almost a dress code.<\/p>\n

Along with the Stampede staple \u201cYahoo!\u201d were scattered boos for Smith.<\/p>\n

One man along the route shouted: \u201cDanielle suuuuucks!\u201d Another responded, \u201cSo do you, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smith has promised to support Confederation as the province barrels toward an Oct. 19 referendum on whether it\u2019s time to kick-start the process for a binding vote on quitting Canada, which she announced in May.<\/p>\n

\u201cCa-na-da! Ca-na-da!\u201d some chanted as Smith rode past.<\/p>\n

In the province\u2019s separation debate, Smith has been viewed both as an arsonist and a firefighter, standing up for a united country while simultaneously validating a movement to dismember it.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been a divisive issue, leading to threats, abuse and the cancellation of a parade in the town of Sundre earlier this summer over a float of Alberta flags viewed as a separatist stalking horse.<\/p>\n

Smith has said separation is a real issue in Alberta, arguing that with hundreds of thousands signing petitions about it, the province needs to put the issue to bed with a vote.<\/p>\n

Parade watcher Darrell Siemens, who cheered for Smith in the parade, agreed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI like that she\u2019s just standing up for what she feels,\u201d said Siemens.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe citizens of Alberta deserve to hear from both sides of the whole debate about separation or not separation and allow both sides to have a voice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nicky Currie was among those who booed the premier.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think she is an absolute disgrace for Albertans, I think she\u2019s doing an absolutely terrible job of governing in Alberta. I think she\u2019s obviously a separatist,\u201d Currie said.<\/p>\n

Smith has enjoyed strong poll support in her term, though those numbers have slipped a bit during the separation debate.<\/p>\n

On Thursday, she announced alongside Prime Minister Mark Carney what she calls a major nation-unifying project \u2013 a proposed new bitumen pipeline to the west coast.<\/p>\n

When asked about her thoughts on the proposed new pipeline, parade attendee Andrea Byrns replied, \u201cDrill, baby, drill.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was born and raised Calgarian, and I think (Smith) really gets to the root of what the heart of Albertans really want,\u201d Byrns added.<\/p>\n

\u201cI grew up in more of a conservative oil and gas household, and I just think she has very realistic views that I align with very well.\u201d<\/p>\n

The parade fires the starter\u2019s pistol on 10 days of rodeo, midway rides, concerts and parties. The Stampede is also a major summer meet-and-greet for politicians and stakeholders at barbecues and pancake breakfasts.<\/p>\n

Calgary\u00a0Mayor Jeromy Farkas said a lot of deals get done during Stampede and, when it comes to politicians, they tend to leave their agendas at the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is probably the world\u2019s premier politician petting zoo,\u201d Farkas said.<\/p>\n

National pride was embodied in Friday\u2019s parade marshals: Olympic medallists Mikael Kingsbury, a Quebec-born moguls skier, and Courtney Sarault, a short-track speedskater from Moncton, N.B.<\/p>\n

Both received training before saddling up to lead the 90-minute parade, learning that while the rider is in the saddle, the horse sets the pace.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe maybe had 30 minutes, 45 minutes with the horse,\u201d said Sarault.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were good. By the end I was trying to go faster, but (the horse) was like, \u2018Nope. You\u2019re only walking,\u2019\u201d she said with a laugh.<\/p>\n

\t\tKeep it Factual<\/p>\n

Add CityNews Calgary as a trusted source on Google to see more local stories from us.<\/p>\n

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