While the Gretzkys watched from the rotunda, other Canadians were attending an event at the Canadian Embassy
While many Canadian politicians and business leaders are reportedly watching Donald Trump’s inauguration from the confines of the Canadian Embassy in Washington, at least one prominent Canadian may have had a first-hand view of the formal changeover.
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NHL Hall of Famer and Trump family friend Wayne Gretzky and his wife, Janet, were among the attendees inside the rotunda at the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C.
The event was moved inside due to extreme cold.
“You did it, You deserved it, you earned every bit of it. The world is a better place to have you as our Leader, Proud to be an American. Thank you for being such a great friend. May God keep watching over you,” Janet wrote in a since-deleted Instagram post that featured photos from the event, including one of Trump and her husband conversing privately.
Tim Hortons beverages for guests at the Canadian Embassy
Provincially, Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey was set to attend the embassy events, as was Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who had originally intended to be at the nearby Capitol ceremony before it was moved indoors. Her itinerary for the remainder of the day calls for engagement with “key U.S. decision makers and government officials at a Republican Governors’ Association event and evening reception.”
After meetings related to oil and gas on Sunday afternoon, Smith attended a pre-inauguration event in the evening, posting multiple photos of herself with various dignitaries.
Others included Ontario’s Energy Minister Stephen Lecce and Trade Minister Vic Fedeli, along with Martine Biron, Quebec’s minister of international relations.
The embassy, located on Pennsylvania Avenue between the Capitol and the White House, has hosted inauguration events since 1993 when Bill Clinton defeated George H. Bush.
A spokesperson told the National Post via email that previous events have been attended by up to 1,800 guests — “senior representatives from all fields, including the diplomatic, political, government, non-government and business communities” — and this year’s turnout would be similar. While cross-border networking is going on, attendees can sample Tim Hortons beverages, tourtiere and “other Canadian culinary classics.”
“The event is made possible thanks to the Embassy’s partnership with many organizations that have a stake in the Canada-U.S. relationship. Sponsorship is a mix of financial support as well as in-kind contributions of food and beverage,” the spokesperson wrote.
Much of the impetus behind the Canadian cohort’s trip was Trump’s repeated threats of a 25 per cent tariff on goods imported from America’s northern neighbours.
Ahead of inauguration events on Monday, the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump would not immediately move on the threat, choosing to instead direct federal agencies to begin studying U.S. trade deficits and relationships with Canada, Mexico and China.
A statement from Justin Trudeau, whose official itinerary has him in Quebec for a cabinet retreat, congratulated Trump, reminded him of the two country’s “successful economic partnership” and called for continued collaboration.
“We are strongest when we work together, and I look forward to working with President Trump, his administration, members of the United States Congress, and officials at the state and local levels to deliver prosperity for our peoples — while protecting and defending the interests of Canadians.”
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