Fentanyl is causing more deaths per capita in Canada than in the United States, Ottawa’s public safety minister said Thursday, emphasizing the two countries’ shared responsibility in tackling the opioid crisis.
U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized Canada for not doing enough to curb the flow of fentanyl across the border, using this as a justification for his proposed import tariffs.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government has pledged to address these concerns while maintaining that less than one percent of fentanyl in the U.S. originates from Canada.
“On a per capita basis, Canada is losing more citizens to fentanyl than the United States,” Public Safety Minister David McGuinty told reporters. “We are interconnected in this crisis.”
U.S. estimates suggest an average of 205 Americans die daily from opioid overdoses, primarily involving fentanyl. In Canada, the latest data shows 21 deaths per day— a significant toll given the country’s population is about twelve times smaller than the U.S.
McGuinty’s comments followed his meeting with senior federal police and border agency officials to implement a Can$1.3 billion border security initiative, introduced in response to Trump’s tariff threats.
Trump had planned to impose 25 percent tariffs, arguing they were necessary to push Canada to take action on fentanyl trafficking and migrant crossings. However, he granted a 30-day reprieve for further negotiations.
Speaking at an event on Thursday, Trudeau said, “We fully agree with our American neighbors that fentanyl must be eradicated.”
As part of the last-minute deal to delay tariffs, Canada agreed to appoint a dedicated official to lead its efforts against drug, with details on the role expected soon.
“The Fentanyl Czar will help integrate our approach to this complex, society-wide challenge,” McGuinty explained, highlighting that the issue spans foreign affairs, law enforcement, intelligence, public health, and the tracking of drug ingredients used in production.
