David Tarrant

I’m a proud #Newfoundlander & equally proud to have started my career (& met my wife) in #NovaScotia It’s long been my goal to return home & build something special on the East Coast Grateful @EntCanada is giving me the chance while also continuing in a national leadership role

The issues happening around us with illegal drugs and criminal activity are serious. I need to share some information and perspective in a more detailed way than a soundbite or a quote in a media story. First, we must always support law enforcement. The treatment of the RCMP that we have seen is not acceptable. They are doing their job to uphold the law and keep Nova Scotians safe. They deserve respect, not confrontation. Blocking a highway or roadway is never acceptable. The unlawful obstruction of others is not peaceful. It undermines public safety, respect for law enforcement and the rule of law itself. Our roadways are our lifeblood. At any given time, people are travelling for critical reasons such as getting to medical appointments, hospitals, work and caring for their families. Our highways are also how we move goods, food and keep our Province functioning. Second, enforcement of the law is not about generating revenue for Government. In fact, with respect to First Nations communities, Government has offered a path forward where revenue from regulated cannabis sales stays in the community, not the government coffers. To be clear, Government supports regulated dispensaries in First Nations communities where profits go into programs and supports that benefit the whole community, not just a handful of individuals operating outside the law. This option exists and has existed for some time. Leadership is aware of it, and it deserves serious consideration. We are ready to work together to address the drug crisis. However, we are not prepared to accept the status quo. We all have a collective responsibility to put the safety of the public above all else. Third, the dangers of unregulated drug markets and their consequences are already being felt across our Province. It is not just the Province saying this. On March 19, Millbrook First Nation issued a drug alert confirming the presence of methylfentanyl, a highly potent form of fentanyl, in the unregulated drug supply in Hants County. This is deeply concerning. This is not a future risk. It is here now and has been. That means that the risk of cross contamination is real. This underscores a hard truth. Unregulated drug markets are unpredictable, untested and increasingly dangerous. They put users, all Nova Scotians, and especially our children, at risk. There are no safeguards. No standards. No accountability. People are being exposed to substances far more potent and far more dangerous than they realize. That is how people get hurt. That is how people die. Fourth, to further underscore the true danger, particularly to children, this week in Nova Scotia, the RCMP released images of cannabis seized from illegal storefronts, and what they showed should concern everyone. Products packaged to look like candy. Bright colours. Familiar brands. There is a reason for this type of packaging. It is clearly designed to appeal to children and youth. Fifth, the potency of some illegal market products is extremely high. Many of these seized products contained THC levels reportedly between 2,000 mg and 8,000 mg per package, compared to the legal limit of just 10 mg in Canada. That is not a small difference. It is hundreds of times stronger. It is appalling. These levels of dosage can lead to severe physical and psychological distress for adults and can be life threatening to children. Sixth, we need to be clear and honest about the law. In R. v. Marshall et al. (2024, NS Provincial Court), the Court rejected the claim that cannabis sales are protected by treaty rights, finding there was no evidence to support any Aboriginal or treaty right to trade cannabis. The law is clear. There is no recognized treaty right to sell cannabis. And the reasons this activity is illegal and dangerous are also clear: •Packaging designed to mimic mainstream candy. •THC levels hundreds of times above legal limits and at hazardous levels. •No health or safety oversight. Finally, we are seeing instances where people are actively encouraging confrontation with the RCMP, promoting blockades and creating situations that carry real risk to the public, to law enforcement and to their own communities. This is dangerous. It puts people in harm’s way. It threatens public safety. It undermines respect for law enforcement and the rule of law. And it makes an already dangerous situation worse. We encourage leadership to work with the Province and move towards safe, regulated dispensaries in communities where profits can stay in the community. There is a clear path forward that will work for communities. Let’s work together to keep our communities safe.

Heavy police presence outside synagogues during Passover isn’t normal. While we hold the utmost respect for our men and women in blue, no one should have to celebrate their faith under protection like this. This is a sad state of affairs in Canada, and one we cannot ignore or accept. Do not normalize this. Ever. To my Jewish friends, I’m sorry. Please know that I, and so many others, will never back down. This is not a Jewish issue alone, it is a responsibility each and every one of us shares. Thank you Toronto Police for your continued service to safety.

All the way across the political spectrum. From David Lewis all the way to Dalton Camp!

No. The problem is not "Ottawa." Ottawa is a city. The problem is the "Liberal government," whose present Liberal ministers, Fraser, Miller, and Diab, unleashed this immigration chaos. To fix a problem, name it.

I still retain hope that the SCC won't be stupid and arrogant enough to try and rewrite the constitution through judicial fiat. But if they do, likeminded provinces need to get together, pressure the House of Commons and Senate to support, and amend the Charter and text of Sec 33 to preserve their ability to use it.

To be clear - I agree a federal government the ‘disallowance’ power would be a scandal But it would be a political act by politicians who would ultimately face democratic accountability for their decision This is a far cry from the farce taking place at the Supreme Court where a bunch of unaccountable lifetime appointed judges are debating whether to arbitrarily abuse their powers in order to neuter the sole constitutional safeguard against judges who arbitrarily abuse their power thestar.com/politics/feder…

Great article from Mitch Davidson on how Premier Tony Wakeham got his big breakthrough on Bay du Nord and, in the process, restarted Canada’s offshore oil and gas sector @mitchdavidson/note/p-190561003?r=paeca&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">substack.com/@mitchdavidson…

It is the kind of thing that makes me proud to be a Newfoundlander.

Good morning and happy Monday from the Halifax office! This beautiful sunrise captured by @rbatherson 🌊

Tonight, I’m reminded of former Premier Brian Peckford’s words: “Some day the sun will shine and have not will be no more.” The sun is shining on our offshore, because cannot will be no more. After years of uncertainty, our offshore oil and gas sector is back, and the future is bright for Newfoundland and Labrador.

Synagogues being shot at, again. Who could have possibly seen this coming after years of governments at every level doing absolutely nothing while hate festered openly in our streets for more than two years? Inaction is a choice & it has consequences. Restore safety. Do your jobs. Find these thugs before someone gets hurt. Wake up 🇨🇦

Just another night out in St. John’s! Director, Public Affairs, @kristinaennis and Atlantic Practice Lead, @davidptarrant were thrilled to host some of the @findcurrency team in Newfoundland this week!

Jesse Jackson was a friend of mine. He was a champion for human rights all over the world. We traveled to Korea together to fight against the military dictatorship. Our efforts also ended the injustices of finger printing Korean citizens. Rest in peace my friend! 🕊️⚖️

I feel bad for New England Patriot fans who still do not know what it feels like to win a Super Bowl without cheating.

I’m not unsympathetic to Tristin here… but it’s worth remembering that a Constitutional amendment to abolish the Senate would require the approval of…the Senate.

BREAKING The Newfoundland and Labrador provincial government will NOT participate in Ottawa’s gun ban and confiscation scheme. Great news for taxpayers and law-abiding firearm owners. THANK YOU to Premier @TonyWakehamNL for taking this stance taxpayers have been calling for.

‘Reset’? Carney’s been PM for less than a year, why does he need a ‘reset’? Why would the great statesman who gives such historic speeches at Davos need a ‘reset’? Didn’t Carney sell us on his experience and expertise? What has he been doing wrong, exactly, that’s now he already needs a ‘reset’?

Please read my statement on the announcement of the resignation of Premier @francoislegault.

Always a good time when the Atlantic team is together. Bringing fresh energy, shared focused and, of course, great people in 2026! 📸 @barbarajkfox @davidptarrant @rbatherson @JordiMorgan @samforan @calmaclellan Brian Fox Jessica Paul Kristina Ennis Tien Pham