Renowned cyclist Chrystia Freeland, Finance and Deputy Prime Minister of Canada, has been formally charged for extreme speeding, after she was caught driving 142 km/h on a 100 km/h highway.
It is unclear if Freeland was granted roadside leniency, as her charges indicate she was driving at speeds just shy of criminal.
The Counter Signal has reached out to Chrystia Freeland’s office asking for comment and an explanation as to why she was behaving so recklessly on a public road.
Vehicular crashes, both head on with other drivers and impact with roadside obstacles at these speeds often lead to multiple fatalities.
According to sources, Freeland was charged on August 15th while she was driving alone in the Peace River area without an RCMP security detail.
The Government of Canada officially recommends that Canadians follow the posted speed limit to avoid excessive fuel consumption and to avoid unnecessary fatalities.
According to the Department of Natural Resources, “most cars, vans, pickup trucks and SUVs are most fuel-efficient when they’re travelling between 50 and 80 km per hour. Above this speed zone, vehicles use increasingly more fuel the faster they go.”
Freeland was in Alberta on official business on behalf of Justin Trudeau to inspect industrial facilities and meet with Premier Danielle Smith.
It is unclear if Freeland will fight these charges in court, or if the Deputy Prime Minister will plead guilty.
At the moment of publishing, Freeland has not been convicted by a court of law.
Last month, federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre mocked Freeland for telling Prince Edward Islanders to ride their bike instead of using a car, as a way to deal with the Liberal’s carbon tax.
“Freeland’s message to Prince Edward Islanders worried about 61c/litre carbon tax: move to Toronto and get a bike!!!” Poilievre said.
Update, 3:41 pm MT: Minister Freeland’s office responded to our inquiry.
“The Deputy Prime Minister was pulled over for driving 132km/h while travelling between Grande Prairie and Peace River. She received a ticket for $273, which she has paid in full. She was driving a rental car at the time.”
