Wayne and Janet Gretzky attend Donald Trump inauguration ceremony

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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.

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.

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The event was moved inside due to extreme cold.

“We are so very proud, We love America, We love Canada … God Bless everyone!,” Janet Gretzky posted on her Instagram account along with of photo of her and Wayne outside the building at the eastern end of the National Mall.

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The quiet relationships between the Gretzkys and the Trumps became more public in November after the former attended a post-election victory party at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

“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.

The families were together again on Christmas Day, during which Trump said on his Truth Social platform that he suggested Wayne seek to become Canada’s prime minister — “soon to be known as the governor of Canada” he wrote in a jab about the country becoming the 51st U.S. state — but said The Great One “had no interest.”

The following day, Janet posted one of her husband’s most iconic quotes over a generic hockey image on Instagram: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”

Early in the New Year, Trump floated the idea again at a Mar-a-Lago press conference, doubling down on his governor comment.

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Tim Hortons beverages for guests at the Canadian Embassy

Other Canadians known to be in Washington on Monday, per The Canadian Press, include federal minister Mary Ng (Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development) and Francois-Philippe Champagne (Innovation, Science and Industry), along with Liberal Member of Parliament John McKay, co-chair of the Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group.

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.

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Others included Ontario’s Energy Minister Stephen Lecce and Trade Minister Vic Fedeli, along with Martine Biron, Quebec’s minister of international relations.

Lana Payne, president of Unifor, the country’s largest private-sector union, and representatives from Canada’s auto sector were also reported to be at the embassy.

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.

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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.

Justin Trudeau, whose official itinerary has him in Quebec for a cabinet retreat, posted on social media to congratulate Trump and remind him that the two nations “have the world’s most successful economic partnership.”

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