Canadian politics: Federal minister draws criticism for sharing picture of lobster lunch [Video]

FREDERICTON –

A photo of federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay eating lobster in Malaysia during an official trip has some people seeing red.

Shared Sunday on the minister’s profile on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, the photo shows a sun-dappled MacAulay looking relaxed, wearing a T-shirt and sunglasses, and holding a lobster claw in his right hand with the rest of the crustacean on a plate before him.

“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!” reads the caption from the Prince Edward Island MP.

Viewed more than two million times and with more than 2,800 comments — many of them negative — the photo has some describing the minister as “tone deaf” for displaying a luxurious meal while Canadians struggle with the cost of food, …