“Dismissive”: Poilievre’s “Santa Claus” remark receives chilly response

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Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is receiving some pushback about his recent comments on Canada’s Arctic relations and security.

Last week, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly announced the launch of Canada’s Arctic foreign policy, which will also establish the position of an ambassador to the region.

“The geopolitical landscape in the Arctic has become increasingly complex and competitive. To ensure that the Canadian Arctic remains a region that is stable, prosperous and secure, we need to deepen our engagement with like-minded states, as well as with territorial and provincial governments, Indigenous Peoples and other domestic partners,” reads a statement from Global Affairs Canada.

Joly added that the policy is needed as “the evolving security and political dynamics in the Arctic have triggered a need for a recalibrated diplomatic approach to advancing Canada’s national interests in the region, based on the principles of pragmatic diplomacy.”

Poilievre was quick to question the role on social media.

“Arctic ambassador? To do diplomacy with who? Santa Claus,” he quipped on X.

“The Liberals have failed to defend Canada’s Arctic for 9 years, and now they think the Russians and Chinese are going to be afraid to send submarines and spy balloons because we’ve sent another bureaucrat up to sit in an office in the Territories. Rebuild our military. Defend our borders. Canada first.”

Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu also responded to Poilievre’s comments before a cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning.

“I think it’s an example of the limited understanding that the Conservatives have about Indigenous peoples,” she told reporters.

“The Arctic has always had Inuit and it’s just a complete and blatant disregard of the seriousness of the situation that Inuit and other First Nations are feeling in the north around a change in climate, increasing access to the Arctic, and of course foreign activity that I think Inuit are first to see.”

Canadians also responded to Poilievre’s post, with some folks saying he was “dismissive.”

“It’s remarkable that Poilievre has spent so much time branding himself as a serious policy thinker but then will randomly throw out snide, dismissive tweets like this on complex policy issues,” wrote X user Alex Kohut.

“This is likely actually a good idea. Arctic security is something we should work on with our allies,” stated Canadian writer Stephen Maher.

“Apparently, the only people living in the Arctic are Santa and his elves,” wrote another X-user.

“I actually think making this joke might be genuinely disqualifying considering how important the Arctic is going to be geopolitically in the coming years,” stated another individual.

“[Six] countries have claims to the Arctic. Having an ambassador is a no-brainer, especially in the years to come as the Arctic continues to melt and new entries are created [and] expanded,” replied one X user.

When asked for a response, Poilievre’s press secretary sent Daily Hive a statement from Bob Zimmer, Conservative shadow minister for Northern Affairs and Artic Sovereignty.

“Trudeau has failed to take our national security seriously, especially amid Russian threats in the North and growing global tensions. Trudeau has failed to meet our commitments to NORAD to keep Canadians safe,” said Zimmer.

“Common sense Conservatives will rebuild our military, so they have the capability to operate in the far North and safeguard our Arctic sovereignty. We will axe the tax for everyone and bring home affordability for people living in the North and all Canadians.”

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