Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's controversial anecdote about a Canadian woman who fled to Mexico for safety has been confirmed by the woman herself. Terri Anne Welyki, a Vancouverite, said she left Canada to escape an attacker, stating, "The only way to make myself feel safe was to remove myself and get as far away from the threat as possible." Her account was published in an episode of The Elevate Report podcast on Saturday.
Welyki's Story
Welyki explained that she felt safer in Mexico because her attacker does not live there. "That's just basic common sense. I feel safer because I'm very far away… It could have been Germany, it could have been Peru, it could have been the USA," she said. Her decision to relocate was driven by a need for security after a violent incident.
Poilievre first mentioned the encounter at a Vancouver press conference earlier this month when asked about public safety. He recounted meeting a woman at the airport who moved from Vancouver to Mexico to feel safer. The statement was met with widespread mockery online, with Flavio Volpe, president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association, posting, "Of all the things that did not happen, this one did not happen the most."
Poilievre Defends Anecdote
In a subsequent press conference, a reporter challenged Poilievre, noting that World Cup fans in Vancouver felt "pretty safe" and that "data shows that Mexico is far more unsafe than Vancouver." Poilievre stood by his story, insisting the encounter occurred and stating, "There are a lot of women who frankly feel very unsafe in Canada today." He added, "And there are cases we’ve had of women testifying before parliamentary committees that they have left Canada because their partner, their violent partner, has been released from prison despite crime after crime after crime."
Welyki's confirmation validates Poilievre's claim and highlights broader concerns about safety for women in Canada. Her case underscores the challenges faced by victims of violence who feel the legal system fails to protect them.
