Freeland’s Childish Remark Distracts From Failed Drug Policy

In a heated exchange during Tuesday’s Question Period, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland aimed a personal jab at Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, diverting attention from the serious discussion on drug policy.

Poilievre, questioning the Liberal government’s stance on hard drugs, accused them of inconsistency, alleging they planned to legalize hard drugs after the next election.

The Conservative leader stated that Canada’s radical leftist government “thinks that you pay down debt by borrowing more, but you stop inflation by printing money and that you fight the drug overdose crisis by legalizing hard drugs. So at least they’re consistent in their irrationality.”

“Mr. Speaker, but now they’ve been forced to backtrack right before the election on their legalization of hard drugs because Canadians are revolting against the policy,” Poilievere added.

“Today we have a motion that will be voted in the House [of Commons] to permanently ban hard drugs,” he continued. “Will this government vote for that motion? Or will they admit that they plan to vote to legalize drugs again after the next election?”

In response, Freeland made a flippant remark about Poilievre’s appearance, stating he wore more makeup than she did.

“Mr. Speaker, the Conservative leader is wearing more makeup than I am,” she bizarrely and childishly retorted.

The House of Commons Speaker had to intervene, reminding Freeland of the decorum expected in parliamentary debates. Freeland withdrew her comment but persisted in criticizing Poilievre’s stance on drug legalization, dismissing it as “phony.”

Freeland’s comment comes amid renewed scrutiny of the Liberal government’s drug policy, particularly after the failed decriminalization experiment in British Columbia. The pilot program, allowing possession of small amounts of drugs without fear of criminal charges, was terminated after just over a year due to public safety concerns.

Premier David Eby’s request to adjust the exemption allowing the pilot program reflects the severity of the drug crisis in the province. Over 14,000 individuals have died from toxic drugs since the public health emergency related to hard drugs was declared, with fatalities doubling compared to 2016.

Despite calls for a “safer supply” approach, concerns about the impact of decriminalization persist. Toronto’s recent request for broad decriminalization, including for youth, has faced opposition, with critics warning of chaos and despair.

Freeland’s remark, while drawing attention away from substantive policy issues, underscores the need for a serious and evidence-based approach to address the ongoing drug crisis. As the election looms, Canadians will be looking for concrete solutions, not personal attacks.