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Canada Names Kevin Brosseau as Fentanyl Czar
Above: Justin Trudeau at Evergreen Brick Works on Feb. 7, 2025, in Toronto, Canada. Image copyright: Katherine KY Cheng/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
Brosseau's appointment highlights Canada's commitment to addressing US security concerns and maintaining crucial trade relationships, while implementing comprehensive border security measures that benefit both nations. The $1.3B border security investment and designation of drug cartels as terrorist organizations show Trudeau's serious dedication to combating the fentanyl crisis.
Narrative B
The creation of this position and Brosseau's appointment appears to be more political theater than a practical solution, given the limited role Canada plays in the cross-border fentanyl trade. Trudeau's move doesn't make sense and is akin to giving into Trump's short-sighted trade war, as it seems to be primarily motivated by avoiding US tariffs rather than addressing the actual sources of illegal fentanyl.