While debating the Liberal government's bill related to cannabis, Smith-McCrossin, the MLA for Cumberland North, referred to her best friend in Amherst who is from Jamaica, in an attempt to make a point. "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.' 'Negative impact'The comments were controversial and led to two apologies by Smith-McCrossin. And now the woman about whom Smith-McCrossin was speaking says she didn't make those comments. Donna Gogan, who operates Flutterbye Jamaican Caribbean Cuisine, declined an interview, but issued a statement saying she is a proud Jamaican and Smith-McCrossin's comments "are completely inaccurate."

Source: CBC News April 25, 2018 19:52 UTC