Another Update: Adams has also now apologized for her remarks, writing on Facebook that she travelled to a tiny village in Africa on a medical mission and is “so sorry I generalized the state of their industry.” Smith-McCrossin has also expanded on her original apology:
“I am not as knowledgeable about racism as I should be. As an elected official and as someone who aspires to a leadership role, particularly in a province like Nova Scotia where racism persists to this day, I need to do better.”
All the posts are embedded below.
Update: Smith-McCrossin has since apologized for her remarks. “I am sorry if my comments were hurtful,” she writes on Facebook. “Had I known that this statement would have caused offense, I would never have made it.”
One of the candidates hoping to lead the Progressive Conservative Party is concerned legalized cannabis could have the same impact on Nova Scotia’s productivity as she assumes it’s had on Jamaica’s economy.
Cumberland North MLA Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin was one of the loudest voices speaking out against Nova Scotia’s new Cannabis Control Act during the bill’s third and final reading Tuesday night at Province House.
Among other health and societal concerns, Smith-McCrossin told the Legislature that legalizing cannabis could potentially make Nova Scotians as unproductive as Jamaicans.
“I have a best friend in Amherst who is from Jamaica,” she said, as recorded in Hansard transcripts. “She said to me, ‘Elizabeth, smoking marijuana in Jamaica is completely accepted and there’s a completely different work ethic and very low productivity in Jamaica.’ I think we already have a productivity problem here in Nova Scotia. We do not need something else making it worse.”
Let’s unpack that a bit.
Marijuana has been a symbolic, largely inaccurate symbol of life in Jamaica for decades thanks in part to the Rastafarian religion. But the drug is still very much illegal in the island nation. Only just recently did Jamaica’s government downgrade possession to a petty offence and allow the personal cultivation of cannabis plants.
Elsewhere in Tuesday’s debate, fellow PC MLA Barbara Adams followed Smith-McCrossin’s lead by wading into a complex debate on legalization and stating the increase in cannabis use will cause an unhealthy amount of air pollution.
“More than 95 percent of the world’s population now are already breathing unhealthy air,” said Adams, quoting from an article in Health World Canada. “The only really healthy thing about going to Africa is that I actually got to be in healthy air because they don’t have any industry there to pollute.”
This is false. There is both industry and air pollution in many, many parts of Africa.
In a Facebook post responding to the comments, community leader El Jones called Adams’ and Smith-McCrossin’s remarks “unacceptable.”
“This kind of anti-Blackness, so casually inserted in debate, is disturbing,” Jones writes. “As is portraying Black people as lazy and unproductive.”
Numerous studies have shown the racist stereotype of the “lazy Jamaican” has its roots, not in drug use, but a history of colonial attitudes and economic policies oppressing lower classes.
From 1973 to 2007, for example, productivity in Jamaica declined almost at the same rate as wages. A national survey of tourism workers also found contempt for management due to a lack of respect and a “general disregard for workers as human beings.”
“This last factor, in particular, was a source of much anguish, anger and resentment among workers,” the paper concludes, “fuelled by the perception that ‘management does not understand workers’ problems, does not understand workers and is not interested in workers as human beings.’”
But that’s Jamaica, not Nova Scotia. Workers here certainly don’t face the same attitudes and eroding labour protections, in turn causing low levels of productivity and contributing to a disenfranchised workforce that chooses to self-medicate.
Smith-McCrossin should know about some of those issues. She was a registered nurse for over 25 years and says she’s seen “evidence-based” research on the dangers of recreational cannabis use. The potential Tory leader also said cannabis is “well known” by law enforcement agencies as a gateway drug to other illicit substances and actions.
As an example, she bought up murdered Dalhousie University student Taylor Samson—a “bright, A+ student” and one of her son’s best friends who “earned his income through selling marijuana.”
“I have seen marijuana kill,” said Smith-McCrossin. “No one will ever convince me that drugs are OK.”
The real danger of cannabis in Canada, however, is not its health effects, but the war on drugs that’s failed to keep neighbourhoods safe while locking up Black Canadians at disproportionate rates.
Lisa Roberts, NDP MLA for Halifax Needham, brought up some of those issues Tuesday while speaking about the “folly of criminalization of cannabis.”
Quoting from a Canadian Press article back in January, Roberts spoke about the high cost of prosecuting drug offences and how current laws disproportionately target marginalized communities.
“In Ontario, where some studies were done on this, they found that Black people were arrested for minor cannabis possession at three times the rate of white people in Toronto,” Roberts said. “We don’t have that breakdown of the data here, but I think it’s fairly predictable that if the data were crunched that way, the findings would be similar.”
In fact, it’s worse.
An investigation by Vice News that was released on Wednesday did analyze that arrest data. Reporter Rachel Browne looked at cannabis charges in different cities from 2015 to 2018 and found African Canadians are severely overrepresented in the stats—especially in Halifax.
Black residents in Halifax were five times more likely to get arrested for possessing cannabis than white people, writes Browne.
“Black people comprise 3.6 percent of Halifax’s population, yet they represented 15 percent of cannabis possession arrests in 2015, which had a total of 110 such arrests. In 2016, black people represented 24 percent of the cannabis possession arrests, even though the number of cannabis possession arrests dropped to 42.”
Prior convictions keep many of those Nova Scotians from getting jobs—stopping them from contributing to the productivity level that Smith-McCrossin is so concerned about.
“I think that there is more work to do to actually redress some of the injustice that has been visited on people through the criminalization of cannabis over many, many years,” said Roberts. “I look forward to seeing how the province may move forward on that.”
Nova Scotia’s Cannabis Control Act eventually passed its third reading 31-15.
Related Stories
New Brunswick’s high hopes for cannabis
Green is the new gold
Q&A: Coming out of the cannabis closet
Weed mapped: what’s behind where the NSLC will sell legal cannabis
Jamaican Cultural Association wants official apology from Smith-McCrossin
How Halifax welcomed the Maroons
Lawyer slams HRM’s freedom of speech defence for racial abuse
Former employee files human rights complaint against Smith-McCrossin
The 411 on 420 in Halifax.
Border blockade politician takes her bias on the road
This article appears in Apr 12-18, 2018.
Are you fucking kidding me? I see the provincial Cons are going the Doug Ford/Trump Route. They dont even try to hide their racism anymore. Sure as hell not ever again getting my vote.
those same “lazy Jamaicans” that farm our fields in the Valley every year? the fields that white Nova Scotians are too lazy or “above the work” to do themselves. those same Jamaicans? nothing lazy about travelling thousands of miles to perform gruelling work for long hours and little money in the baking sun. those lazy Jamaicans? give me a break!
Racist. Jamaicans work more in one day than this sheltered woman has ever worked for her entire life.
Oh mercy. Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin, Ms. Adams… foremost allow me to express that my representive to Province House / the other representative, YOU DO NOT REPRESENT ME. I vote not on party lines, even if I wish, but you are neither. As a nurse you should be far more well informed, as a resident you should never take a shot at your constituents.
Perhaps you are trying to appeal to the elderly who think are of the demographic that thinks kids today are lazy from smoking weed. Perhaps as a nurse youve missed that due to now debunked marijuana propaganda from the 70s and 80s , it is prescribed to over 55 people as to 35. Did I mention prescribed? Thats also a term used by the medical profession for a medical recommendation due to its known treatment benefits. I could ramble on and on… however, credentials aside, your racist comment (I have friends from Jamaica, Nigeria, the Bahamas, South Africa, and North Preston and other countries. Theyre my REAL friends and all different colours, professions etc. Want to play the stereotype game where you guess if theyre lazy or a different skin tone?) Weed doesnt make people lazy, nor where theyre from, nor the colour of their skin. Opportunity, or lack there of does. Mind set or lack there of does. Leadership….. or lack there of does. People, your constituents voted you in. I wasnt one of them that voted for you, but you represent me and US all. This is how you do that? Shame. Are you trying to appeal to the lowest common denominator like our southern neighbour and hope the uninformed, the racists, the people that buy in to your bullshit will vote for you and the wise, not bullied by arrogance wont? Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin, you dont represent US.
What does this lady know about Jamaicans? Im quite certain I know more Jamaicans than she does and none of them are lazy. “weed” was illegal in Jamaica until recently when it was decriminalized, not legalized. So for most of Jamaicans that I know, smoking marijuana is still taboo. FYI, marijuana is a religious sacrament for Rastafarians and is predominantly used by them on the island so whether or not your know it, in addition to racist, this is religious persecution.
Hearing you use the name of my murdered friend to push your horrifically one sided and offensive rhetoric is absolutely shocking. I’ve always found myself on the fence between our two parties (socially liberal, fiscally conservative) but today you’ve made that decision easy for me. Anyone who would associate themselves with someone like you is no friend to me.
Nothing will change the ones smoking weed are already doing so and will continue to do so. So someone can place their little racist comment up her own arse
Good grief! What rock did these Conservative candidates crawl out from under? They need to crawl back under again and stay there. There is no way I would ever support a party that thinks like that. Just go away and let somebody with brains lead the party. Surely there has to be somebody in the party that has a clue.
A lot of Cape Breton industry during the early 20th century dependended on Jamaican labour, and it is often worth pointing out to certain ‘Tory traditionalists’ from this province, that slaves brought up from the Caribbean contributed in large part, to the construction of Halifax’s Citadel. There have been more enlightened conservatives hereabouts, as it was Robert Stanfield in 1959, whose PC government passed the Reasonable Accommodation Act famous for outlawing the form of discrimination that Viola Desmond endured. Though the first model of a RA Act was actually drafted in 1946 in Saskatchewan by Tommy Douglas. Ms. Smith-McCrossin should also be made familiar with the iconic lyrics of Bob Marley’s Redemption Song. Those words were first delivered in a speech made by Marcus Garvey in Sydney NS, in 1936. Nova Scotia has deep cultural ties with Jamaica, that need greater recognition.
People have to stop thinking the end of society is coming with the legalization of marijuana. The same people driving high now will be the same ones when it’s legal. The same people using it on the weekends will stay the same ones getting up Monday morning and go to work, not lazy. The only difference I feel we’ll see is where it is purchased from. I’m not surprised who I find out who is using it, I’ve met every type of Nova Scotian worker using. I think that smoking marijuana comes with such a stigma that people have hidden it so well that there are those in “power” that are way out of touch with the “average” Nova Scotian.
It’s not even something the provincial PC can even stop so bringing it up in this way is pointless and only caused harm to Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin and the PC party she wishes to lead.
Cumberland North MLA Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin is an example of the ignorance that surrounds the cannabis debate. These people are speaking about something that they have no clue about and do not deserve the privilege of representing us in the Nova Scotia Legislature .
No M.L.A. It does not hurt anyone.
It showed Who you are, What you are & Where (in intelligence) you are.
So no need to apologize. Rather people of NS will thank you for revealing yourself so easily.
this was posted at 4:20
Nova Sotia’s largest private vineyard hires Jamaicans to work it as no Nova Scotians ever apply for the jobs. They are hard working a dedicated to their families and providing support. Its they economy in Jamaica that has failed their people not drugs. The government has to stop protecting people from themselves, NDP Liberal or Conservative they have to understand that they work for us.
I personally don’t agree with the legalizing of marijuana. It is a drug and it is a fact that people may over do it which may consequently lead to negative results.
However I do not agree with bringing down other individuals and their country or assuming things just to make a point.
I am a jamaican I do not and have never smoke in my life, I am definitely not lazy and I am also a Registered Nurse… we are so much more than stereotypes and oh! Majority of jamaicans do not smoke and have a make up of mainly christianity as the main religion.
Hi.
I am a Jamaican, living in Nova Scotia. I am a graduate of Northern Caribbean University (Jamaica) with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (Emphasis Programming). I am currently a International student pursing an Associate Degree in Business Administration in Nova Scotia. I have never smoked before nor am I lazy #Iamnotlazy.
This time around, we Jamaicans wont be sensitive, instead we will get stronger.
Gee another politician whose lips work far quicker than her brain. Why do all the pariah in life end up in politics.
Lol. I am a Jamaican, never smoked, college student, work while going to school. Jamaican lazy, Usain Bolt lazy, weed smoking Bob Marley lazy. This is a joke right.
Dwl, wait until my friends hear this.
Got to share.
It is interesting to note that the many well thinking Canadians who are open and willing to embrace diversity and show in words and deeds how appreciative they are for the Jamaicans who have worked assiduously to help build brand Canada. It is also clear that those who are discriminatory in words and deeds as is demonstrated by a political leader, do so with the full knowledge that they are not alone and are politically supported. As the leader of the Tory party, she speaks for and on behalf of all its members and supporters. An apology in an unfortunate and redundant way of showing how regretful we are that our thoughts have been exposed.
One thing is known about Jamaicans, which is clear the Tory leadership is ignorant of , is that Jamaicans are hard working and ambitious. Many of whom hold more than one jobs here in Canada. And those in Jamaica are even more work-a-olics. I recommend that people who desire to be leaders become au fait with the diverse society that they wish to lead. It difficult to interpret this as insensitive… it speaks to systematic culture of covert discrimination..
Typical, worried more about image than content. Even the apology is offensive. The fact that it upset people is not what she should apologize for, it’s that it ever entered her head in the first place. Dult.
In the attached article, there wee crime-race stats included. How were these stats compiled? Crime-race stats are illegal to compile in Canada, due to Human Rights Commision rulings. So I wonder where these statistics came from.
Elizabeth Smith Mc crossing and you Barbara Adams take your apology and put it up your ass no thanks
I think it’s time hard working Jamaicans who keep this nation’s economy afloat with our contributions need to speak up.
Bigoted candidates should not be running for pubic office.
From a proud, hard working Jamaican/Canadian!
When was this woman born? Where is she getting her fictitious facts from? Jamaicans can be alot of things but lazy is not one of them. We who are known AROUND THE WORLD TO HAVE 2 34567 JOBS AT ONE TIME? We who push for education and being the very best at everything we do? Lady STOP YOUR MADNESS PLEASE!!! When The entire Jamaican community gets wind of this rediculously humorous and false comment…..You need to just not speak publicly for a very long time. Go around the world and educate yourself on diverse cultures then cone back and tell us what you have learned…..Because that comment was an uneducated scrambled thought. How did you even get elected
Jamaicans as well as former colonies of the west Indies have had to work extremely hard to bring their country up to par.. After the colonizers plundered these countries , took away the wealth and resistributed it on new colonies leaving the small nations to fend for survival with nothing.
Jamaicans are the same ones who join your fruit farm programs annually while your capable working population sit by idly.
I believe that this statement you’ve made is downright prejudice and misinformed and should be condemned in the highest way possible.
Im running my own business.
Without cannabis as my medical prescription from my family doctor for my random stabbing pains and litany of other problems….
I would absolutely come across as lazy.
If anyone would like the chance to win a pixel art quilt up to 650 pixels of their choosing, I am over here
(And my patreon costs just one dollar!)
https://youtu.be/F7bNpcN6tIQ
Share it around, my next raffle is on may 5th!
😀
Yay not lazy!!!
… I’m really dumb and now that people have explained to me what I did I’m going to make a mental note not to ever say things like that again. I aspire to be a leader. People have told me I can do it. Please let me stay in politics. Don’t you see that I’m a part of all the right circles right now and I get to go to some really great house partys and stuff.
Took a trip 7 day trip to Jamaica did ya? Stayed at Sandals maybe? All the knowledge you need is it? Brilliant.
Well this heifer needs to find a job in the Trump cabinet because she would undoubtedly fit right in. The fucking nerve of her. I came to this country 22 years ago and has never been without a job. I started working at McDonald’s flipping burgers the same week that I came to Canada. I started nursing school in Humber college in September of the same year and I became a Personal support worker 6 months after, so I had 2 jobs while going to school. Actually I am a cardiac nurse who works 4-5 days a week and has never been on welfare. I have never smoked in my life and just to clear up dumb comments, smoking weed is frowned up on. She came up with some stupid half assed stats that she pulled out of her ass to try to back up her prejudice. If all the JAMAICANS decided not to show up for work ( They won’t because they are dedicated) the city would come to a standstill, not an exaggeration. She needs to step down from her post because there is no way she can properly represent her constituents with these racist “Trumpian views”. Boycott this bigot.