Danielle Smith: podcast appearances and interviews

Marlaina Danielle Smith, born April 1, 1971, is a Canadian politician and the current premier of Alberta. She has served as the leader of the United Conservative Party since 2022 and assumed the office of premier on October 11, 2022. Smith was born in Calgary and attended the University of Calgary, earning degrees in English and economics. Her career includes work as a journalist in print, radio, and television, where she voiced opinions on politics and healthcare. She served briefly as a trustee for the Calgary Board of Education and worked as the director of provincial affairs for Alberta with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business before entering politics. Smith became the leader of the Wildrose Party in 2009, under which she contributed to the party's growth and its formation of the Official Opposition following the 2012 Alberta general election. She was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Highwood during that election and served as Leader of the Opposition until 2014. After resigning from the party, she joined the Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta but was defeated in her bid for re-nomination in 2015. Between 2015 and 2022, Smith worked in talk radio and served as president of the Alberta Enterprise Group. Her policies as premier focus on increasing provincial autonomy, with notable initiatives including the passage of the Alberta Sovereignty Act and efforts to establish an independent Alberta Pension Plan and withdraw from the Canada Pension Plan, aiming for more controlled and fiscally sustainable options for residents.