Justice Minister Peter MacKay spouts off over Justin Trudeau’s marijuana stand

WHITEHORSE – The final news conference for the gathering of Canada's justice ministers in Whitehorse was upstaged by a tirade by Justice Minister Peter MacKay.

Just as questions wrapped up, MacKay interrupted saying he had heard that Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau had discussed his proposal to legalize marijuana in front of elementary school children in Brandon, Man.

MacKay called Trudeau's actions disgusting and says talking about this issue in front of children was appalling, a profound lack of judgement and reflected very poorly on Trudeau's proposal.

Jillian Austin, a reporter for the Brandon Sun newspaper, was at the Trudeau event and says he spoke to a group of teenagers and his statement on marijuana was prompted by a question.

Austin says Trudeau started by saying that marijuana was dangerous for young people, and he believes regulating pot will make it safer for children.

MacKay told reporters that Trudeau can shout his claims from the hilltops, but going before a group of school children crosses the line of appropriate behaviour for a federal leader.