Alberta Premier Danielle Smith courted some star power on social media over the weekend.

The premier recently retweeted praise from American actor and comedian Rob Schneider who called her a “real leader.” 

Schneider, who has starred in popular movies like Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo and Grown Ups, made the comment in response to Smith’s speech at the 2022 United Conservative Party annual general meeting.

In the quoted speech, Smith pledges to stand up to Ottawa by not enforcing any laws that target Alberta’s economy or violate rights. 

“When Ottawa announces policies and laws that attack our economy or violate the rights of our people…our UCP government will not enforce those laws and policies in this province, period,” said Smith. 

This is not the first time that Schneider has dipped his toes into Canadian politics. In January, Schneider was among numerous celebrities to publicly support the Freedom Convoy. 

In response to comments by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that the protesters represented a “small fringe minority” of Canadian society, Schneider joked about the prime minister’s label. 

“Trudeau may have to redefine what a “small fringe minority” is… It’s stretching from Manitoba to Ontario!” tweeted Schneider on Jan. 27. 

In a follow-up tweet, Scheider also joked about Trudeau conveniently contracting Covid-19 and going into isolation as the convoy was arriving in Ottawa. 

“Generalissimo Trudump has (conveniently) contracted the truckers-are-coming-for-me variant! Official statement should read… “Staying Safe…avoiding any vehicles with more than 17 wheels!” tweeted Schenider. 

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