Wayne Gretzky among these Canadians in Washington for Donald Trump’s inauguration

Former NHL player Wayne Gretzky, right, and his wife Janet Gretzky arrive before the inauguration of Donald Trump in the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 20, 2025. (Kevin Lamarque / Pool Photo via AP) (AP)

U.S. President Donald Trump’s inauguration attracted a number of prominent Canadians.

From hockey legend Wayne Gretzky to politicians and business leaders, here are some of the notable Canadians who attended the historic event.

Gretzky’s wife, Janet Gretzky, posted a photo of her and her husband Monday morning with the message: “We are so very proud , We love America, We love Canada God Bless everyone !!”

Gretzky and his family previously attended Trump’s victory party at Mar-a-Lago in November.

Tesla and X CEO Elon Musk was a prominent attendee and considered by some to be pivotal in helping Trump win back the White House. Trump tapped Musk to help lead the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Musk was born in South Africa but gained Canadian citizenship through his mother before he became a U.S. citizen.

While Prime Minister Justin Trudeau skipped the event for a cabinet retreat preparing for Trump’s expected tariffs, a number of Canadian politicians were in Washington with many appearing at an inauguration event at the Canadian Embassy.

Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne posted a photo of the Capitol in Washington on Sunday night. As co-lead of the federal government’s Team Canada strategy, Champagne has been meeting with American politicians and businesses since early 2024.

Trade Minister Mary Ng, the other co-lead for Team Canada, was also expected in Washington. She was in New Jersey and New York to meet with businesses leaders and state government officials last week.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith posted photos of her meeting Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, nominee for U.S. Secretary of State, and Peter Hegseth, nominee for U.S. Secretary of Defence in Washington.

While Smith was a prominent Canadian voice amid the tariff threats, she recently caused controversy for refusing to support other premiers and Trudeau on their plan to fight Trump’s tariffs. She said that Alberta would not support putting export taxes on oil and gas.

Smith didn’t attend the inauguration after it was moved indoors to the Capitol Rotunda. Her press secretary, Sam Blackett, said she planned to attend the Canadian Embassy event.

François Poirier, chief executive of TC Energy Corp., was also in Washington and met with Smith to discuss energy security.

An Ontario delegation was in D.C. for the inauguration, including politicians, business leaders and union executives, as Premier Doug Ford has been pushing back on Trump’s looming trade war. Ford wasn’t in Washington, but leaders and groups that were expected at the Canadian Embassy included those from the auto industry, mining, telecom, financial services, transportation, energy, financial services and banks, as well as David Paterson, the Ontario government’s representative in the U.S. capital.

Ontario Energy Minister Stephen Lecce and Ontario Economic Development Minister Vic Fedeli were in D.C. to promote the province’s strategy to fight Trump’s tariff threat.

Lecce posted a photo from the U.S. capital on X, writing: “We are in Washington to make clear the choices before our American friends — a choice between democratic Canada or the financing of brutal regimes abroad.”

Liberal MP John McKay, co-chair of the Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group, Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey and Quebec International Relations Minister Martine Biron were also expected in Washington.

With files from The Canadian Press, CNN and CTV News Edmonton’s Brittany Ekelund