Comparison Between Canada’s and San Francisco’s Drug Problems Made by White House Official, Edmonton Fentanyl Crisis Mentioned

February 6, 2025 TruthUSA

A senior U.S. official has stated that some major Canadian cities are facing a drug crisis similar to San Francisco, pointing to a fentanyl-related incident in Edmonton as proof that Canada has lost control of its drug problem.

White House National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett made these remarks in a Feb. 3 interview with CNBC, just before President Donald Trump agreed to a 30-day pause in tariffs on Canada. This pause came after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised to enhance border security to halt the fentanyl flow.

The tariffs, initially planned by Trump concerning border security issues with Canada and Mexico, were scheduled to take effect the following day.

During the interview, Hassett explained that the tariff threats were aimed at pressuring both countries to address the drug crisis. He mentioned that Canada misunderstood the threat as a “trade war” instead of a call to tackle the fentanyl issue.

“These are some of our best trading partners and our best friends to solve this incredible problem that has been spiraling out of control … and they have not really been addressing it,” Hassett said.

“I can tell you, I spent a lot of time in Canada. I was up in Alberta and walking on the rivers and fishing last summer. And I could tell you that there are places in big cities in Canada that look like San Francisco, because the drug war is being lost by this government in Canada.”

Hassett mentioned an incident in Edmonton last summer where, upon leaving his hotel, he witnessed an ambulance responding to a fentanyl overdose case.

“And then, as I’m walking to my restaurant, two people get into a fight with the cops over drugs, right there, just in downtown Edmonton. And this is just my one day when I’m staying there.”

“Canada is like San Francisco, and it’s spreading to the U.S., and it needs to stop,“ he said. ”That’s what the Canadian people want, and it’s what the American people want.”

San Francisco experienced one of its highest numbers of drug overdose deaths in 2023, with 810 cases due to fentanyl. Meanwhile, Edmonton recorded 657 overdose deaths related to non-pharmaceutical opioids, like fentanyl and heroin, in 2023.

When Trump became president, he vowed to impose 25 percent tariffs on all goods from Canada and Mexico unless they tackled illegal immigration and drug flow into the U.S.

To avoid the tariffs, Ottawa unveiled a $1.3 billion strategy last December to secure the border against drugs and illegal migration, with a focus on halting fentanyl and its precursor substances. Several Canadian provinces, including Alberta, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, also launched their border security plans to address Trump’s concerns.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who announced a $29 million border strategy in December to combat drug smuggling, gun trafficking, and illegal migration, stated in a social media post on Feb. 5 that she has directed her province to boost police and prosecution resources to combat Fentanyl-related crimes.

Several Canadian premiers see the 30-day pause as an opportunity to demonstrate Canada’s dedication to border security.

Following his call with Trump on Feb. 3, Trudeau pledged to implement the federal border strategy, appoint a “fentanyl czar,” list cartels as terrorist groups, and establish a Canada-U.S. Joint Strike Force to combat organized crime, fentanyl, and money laundering. He also committed $200 million to a new intelligence directive on organized crime and fentanyl.

Source link