Conservative government asks Canadian doctors to endorse taxpayer-funded ad campaign against marijuana

These endorsements would allow the Tories to warn that Canadian doctors oppose Justin Trudeau’s approach to marijuana reform.

As the Conservatives repeatedly attack Liberal leader Justin Trudeau over his support for the legalization of marijuana, the federal government has asked three groups representing Canadian doctors to endorse a taxpayer-funded advertising campaign warning about the drug’s health risks for young people.

Health Canada has approached the Canadian Medical Association, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the College of Family Physicians of Canada asking them to sign on to the broadcast advertising campaign, scheduled to launch some time in the fall.
The organizations would not be required to fund the ad campaign, estimated to cost $5 million, but their logos and endorsements would appear in them, according to a source familiar with the proposal.

The campaign comes as the Conservative Party runs its own attack ads alleging Mr. Trudeau’s approach to legalization would make it easier for children to obtain pot.
On Tuesday, the party reposted an online video highlighting Trudeau statements on legalization, with the closing line, “Help keep marijuana away from our kids.”
The Tories have also repeatedly cited Mr. Trudeau’s marijuana position in email campaigns aimed at shaking more money out of supporters, even though recent polls show Canadians warming to the idea of liberalizing marijuana laws.


In a pamphlet sent to constituents earlier this year, Veterans Affairs Minister Julian Fantino alleged that Mr. Trudeau wants to “make buying marijuana a normal, everyday activity for young Canadians” and even charged that the Liberal leader wants to allow the sale of pot in corner stores.
In fact, Mr. Trudeau has suggested the government regulate and tax the sale of marijuana, similar to provincially regulated beer and liquor sales, and says this will help keep the drug away from children.

The ads from Health Canada, aimed at teens and parents, would not mention Mr. Trudeau or the Liberals but could present a more persuasive case against his approach to marijuana, particularly with stamps of approval from three of the country’s leading physician organizations.

The endorsements from these organizations would also allow the Tories to warn that Canadian doctors oppose Mr. Trudeau’s approach to marijuana reform. Together, the organizations count nearly 150,000 members.

 

But the request from Health Canada has made some affiliated with the organizations nervous about taking a public stance on what is becoming an increasingly partisan political issue, even if many physicians are concerned about pot’s long-term effects on physical and mental health.
One source familiar with the discussions with Health Canada said there were concerns that getting involved could undermine an organization’s perceived neutrality and credibility, potentially affecting its ability to advocate on health policy with governments in the future.

The ad campaign could also expose the Conservatives to allegations they are using government money and Health Canada’s brand to undermine a political opponent, in the guise of public health awareness.
But the College of Family Physicians of Canada says it is involved only to ensure the ads reflect a family-physician perspective on the health issues surrounding teenagers and recreational marijuana use.

The CFPC confirmed that it has signed an agreement with Health Canada to have its addiction medicine committee review television ads and other materials to ensure they are accurate and reflect concerns about how the drug can affect adolescents, said Eric Mang, CFPC’s director of health policy and government relations.
The CFPC is not being paid in any way and Dr. Mang said his organization does not see the ad campaign as political.