Petition launched in Canada to ban Tucker Carlson from entering the country

The news that Tucker Carlson, the former top-rated anchor on cable news, is coming to Calgary on Jan. 24, 2024 to share an event with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has set off alarm bells throughout the Canadian Left.

It has even provoked a petition asking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to ban Carlson from getting across the border into Canada.

Carlson is expected to speak and interview Smith. 

The premier’s office has confirmed Smith’s presence at the event.

“The premier participates in a variety of public and private events and does interviews with dozens of reporters, broadcasters and podcasters from across the political spectrum,” press secretary Sam Blackett wrote.

“Obviously, she does not subscribe to every view of every interviewer or reporter she speaks with, whether that’s the CBC, the Toronto Star, or Tucker Carlson. The premier aims to share Alberta’s message with as many people as possible whether they’re from Alberta, Canada, or around the world.”

But Alberta New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Rachel Notley, who heads the official opposition in the province, urged Smith to cancel the event because Carlson “is not a credible figure.”

“The fact that our premier believes it’s appropriate to normalize the things this person would say by appearing on a stage with him demonstrates a profound lack of judgment on her part.”

“I would call on the premier to immediately cancel that planned appearance, because Albertans deserve better from their leadership,” she told reporters Tuesday.

Notley reiterated her shock and disgust Tuesday in a post on X: “Smith has restated her intent to meet with extremist Tucker Carlson.”

“By appearing on stage beside a person with such hateful, harmful views, Smith shows a total disregard for the negative consequences this will have on Alberta’s reputation, and casts severe doubt on her own.”

The NDP’s finance critic, Shannon Phillips, called Carlson “a pro-Putin white nationalist … so naturally Danielle Smith is scheduled to help him promote his event in Calgary in January.”

A petition on Change.org is begging Trudeau to ban Carlson from entering Canada.

“There's still time for Prime Minister Trudeau to do the right thing and deny Tucker Carlson, a citizen of the United States, conspiracy theorist, active supporter of Vladmir Putin, promoter of racism and hate monger, supporter of the January 6 insurrection, supporter of the rigged 2020 US elections conspiracy,  a visa to enter Canada.”