Smith to host Premier's Stampede Breakfast following mixed reception at Calgary parade

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is scheduled to host the annual Premier's Stampede Breakfast in Calgary today, continuing a longstanding Stampede tradition that draws thousands of attendees.

The event, held at the McDougall Centre, typically features members of the provincial cabinet and United Conservative caucus. According to the Premier's Office, approximately 4,000 people attended last year's breakfast, making it the largest turnout for the event in more than a decade.

Smith's appearance comes after she received a mixed public reception during the Calgary Stampede Parade on Friday, where spectators both cheered and jeered as she rode in a horse-drawn wagon through downtown Calgary.

The parade took place one day after Smith and Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a proposed new West Coast pipeline project. Smith described the proposal as a nation-building initiative. The project has not yet advanced through the regulatory and approval process.

Recent public opinion polling has continued to show Smith with comparatively strong support as premier, although surveys indicate that support has softened amid debate over whether Alberta should separate from Canada.