In the widely circulated video clip, Chrystia Freeland closes her eyes as journalists shout over each other while trying to ask questions at the same time. The original half-hour video shows no sign that the politician is “under the influence of any substances.” She deals with the journalists in a professional manner, switching fluently between English and French.

Social media users have circulated a video suggesting that Canadian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland appeared in a “strange state”. Some claim she was under the influence of drugs and that such incidents have allegedly happened before.

Screenshot – vk.com. “Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was in a strange state yesterday during a press conference. This is not the first time that the granddaughter of a Ukrainian Nazi has gone public in such a drug-addled state.”
Screenshot – x.com. “Chrystia Freeland, granddaughter of Nazi collaborator Mykhailo Khomyak, who fled to Canada in 1945 and was also a minister in Canada. She’s high in front of everyone!”

Chrystia Freeland, a vocal critic of Russia and a strong supporter of Ukraine, has frequently been the target of various rumors and disinformation. Allegations that she was intoxicated at a public event serve the same purpose – undermining confidence in her as a political leader and diminishing her influence in international affairs.

The video clip being circulated is from a press conference held on November 8, 2024, following the first meeting of the newly revived Cabinet Committee on Canada-U.S. Relations. The Canadian Prime Minister’s Office announced the re-establishment of the committee in response to Donald Trump securing a second term as U.S. president. At the press conference, Freeland and Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly addressed journalists. In the full, unedited video, there is no indication that Freeland was “under the influence of any substances.” She explains the purpose and goals of the committee and answers questions from reporters. She also switches seamlessly between English and French, both of which are official languages in Canada.

The misleading clip (taken at the 22:23 mark of the video) was used to fabricate the false claim. At that moment, Freeland closes her eyes as several journalists shout questions at once. Propagandists exploited this single expression to create a false narrative about her condition.

Previously, StopFake has debunked similar disinformation, including: Manipulation: ‘Drunk’ Poroshenko Called on EU Countries to Withdraw Benefits from Ukrainian Refugees and Redirect Funds to Ukrainian Army and Fake: Zelenskyi’s Security Guard Got Into Drunk Fight in New York.


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