Federal agriculture minister Lawrence MacAulay has come under fire for showing off a fancy Malaysian lobster feast on social media amid millions of Canadians relying on food banks.
MacAulay is in Malaysia this week to meet with Indo-Pacific officials.
The minister posted a photo of himself on X (formerly Twitter) enjoying a large lobster on Sunday, along with the caption, “Touched down in Malaysia! I’m looking forward to a productive week of meeting with officials, industry leaders, and partners from Canada and the Indo-Pacific to promote our world-class products – like the lobster I enjoyed for lunch in Kuala Lumpur!”
A look at the restaurant’s menu shows a whole “original lobster” costing 220 Malaysian Ringgits, which squares to approximately 62 CAD, while lobster thermidor costs 245 Ringgits, which converts to approximately 69 CAD. A bigger “Jumbo Lobster” is also offered, but the price is not disclosed.
MacAulay, who will take home an estimated $299,300 salary this year thanks to generous annual pay raises for politicians, was accused of being out of touch.
Conservative deputy leader Melissa Lantsman wrote, “Minister eating (lobster) in the Malaysian (sun) on your dime and posts about it to make sure you see how tone-deaf he is.” Former Conservative leader Andrew Scheer said, “Trudeau Liberals don’t need to worry about their carbon tax driving up grocery prices. Not when they get Lobster in Kuala Lumpur. They force you to pay more, but they don’t feel the pain. Unless they run out of garlic butter.”
Several other Conservative MPs also called out MacAulay, including Lethbridge MP Rachael Thomas, who wrote, ”OUT. OF. TOUCH. Every month, more than 2 million Canadians are lining up at food banks & this Liberal minister thought it would be a good idea to boast about his lobster feast.” Calgary Nose Hill MP Michelle Rempel Garner said, “Lawrence. Just….no, buddy. This is a no. A sun soaked lobster junket when people can’t afford food? Just….no.”
Canadian Taxpayers Federation federal director Franco Terrazzano wrote, “You ever get the feeling our politicians have no idea how tough times are for so many Canadians? Or maybe they don’t really care?.” He added “anyways, keep your receipts.”
Peter McCaffrey of the Alberta Institute noted that “the problem here isn’t someone going on a trip and having a nice meal… The problem is a politician who votes for laws that make it harder for Canadians to do this publicly enjoying the things he’s taken away from others.” Former Conservative national campaign manager Fred DeLorey said “the Liberals have just given up. Enjoy your taxpayer-funded international trips and luxury meals while ya can, I guess.”
Other Canadians also called out MacAulay. “Can you be any more tone-deaf? Millions of Canadians are relying on food banks as your scandal plagued govt insists on hiking the carbon tax yet again,” wrote one X user. “At some point, we must conclude that this is simply intended to mock and humiliate overtaxed and overburdened Canadians,” wrote another.
As previously reported by True North, food banks across Canada are facing unprecedented demand, with almost two million Canadians now relying on them.
Despite that, several of MacAulay’s Liberal colleagues came to his defence.
Kings—Hants Liberal MP Kody Blois shared a picture of himself enjoying a lobster meal in solidarity with MacAulay and took a swipe at Lantsman, writing, “Take a step out of the GTA and understand the importance of our seafood industry to Atlantic Canada (MacAulay) is abroad promoting a product that sustains jobs & livelihoods in our region, like Hall’s Harbour Lobster. Do jobs in our region not matter?”
Sydney—Victoria Liberal MP Jaime Battiste wrote, “Imagine the absurdity of criticizing an Atlantic Canadian Minister for promoting the world-class products produced in his own region. The Atlantic Canadian fishery is essential to our economy, and we’ll continue to promote it at home and abroad.”
Don Valley West Liberal MP Rob Oliphant meanwhile shared a photo of a chicken noodle soup he made along with the caption “Simple pleasures.” However, many Canadians were quick to point out that he was using a gas stove – a popular upscale appliance that left-wing politicians across North America are trying to ban.
Not the first “Lobster Gate” controversy:
This is not the first time that Liberal ministers have come under fire for sharing lobster feasts on social media.
Small business minister Rechie Valdez came under fire last summer after showing off a meal of lobster and oysters during a Liberal cabinet retreat in Prince Edward Island in an influencer-style video.
The video was part of her “Foodie Friday” series, in which she visits local restaurants and tries their food.
Treasury Board Minister Anita Anand meanwhile faced criticism for a photo-op in front of a food bank.
MacAulay’s office did not return True North’s request for comment in time for publication.
