Why does Chrystia Freeland scribble on her hand?

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The office of the Deputy Prime Minister can be thought of as the prime minister’s right hand. But what about the right hand’s left hand?

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Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has a habit, noted over her years in office, of taking notes on her hand — notes that often show up in photographs or video clips of the minister, or are remarked upon at press conferences.

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A query about the practice sent to Freeland’s office was met with the response: “I’m not entirely sure what we’d comment on?” A followup email asking if her office was aware of it, or had any information about it, did not elicit a response.

One of the latest to take note of Freeland’s notes was social media user Michael Prince who posted an image to X, asking: “Does Chrystia Freeland have notes written on her hand, if so, why? Captured during Press Conference and HoC Question Period. I have also seen her with this before in the HoC Question Period. Zoom in.”

Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner also took to social media on Dec. 9 with an image of Freeland’s scrawled-on hand, asking: “Can anyone tell what it says?”

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It’s hardly the first time this has happened. Back in 2019, Canadian Senator Denise Batters also posted an image to X (then Twitter) of a glimpse of Freeland during Question Period in the House of Commons.

“Watching #QP replay & see that Minister Chrystia Freeland writes on her hand?!” she wrote, adding: “#TrudeauTalkingPoints?”

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The habit came to a head (or should that be a hand?) in 2018, during Freeland’s participation in talks on the North American Free Trade Agreement. A story from Reuters, picked up by other news agencies, suggested the notes could provide insights into her negotiations.

“Over the past week, the chief NAFTA negotiator for Canada has spoken to reporters on two different occasions with notes scribbled on her hand,” the story said. “The scribblings may be a clue into outstanding issues in the talks, as well as Freeland’s agenda with U.S. lawmakers.”

One day’s notes included “Iran,” “Pompeo,” and what appeared to be “last night.” Those were likely references to a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and President Donald Trump’s decision to pull the U.S. out of the Iran nuclear deal, Reuters alleged.

Another day she had jotted down the words “Caltrain,” “Sunset,” “Mayfair” and “BBQ.”

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The first two words were assumed to refer to San Francisco’s commuter train line, which had Canadian-made stock, and the proposed sunset clause in the NAFTA agreement. “BBQ” was, Reuters suggested, a reference to the long-running dispute between the U.S. and Canada over America’s labelling of meat products. Or it might just refer to a barbecue on the weekend at a location called the Mayfair, in Freeland’s riding.

As to whether writing on your hand is dangerous (physically, not politically), the answer appears to be: No. A post on the website Healthline.com about ink poisoning notes: “Ink poisoning doesn’t occur from drawing on your skin. Ink may temporarily stain your skin, but it will not poison you.”

And journal-maker LeStallion suggests: “If you want to express yourself by drawing on your skin, there are safer alternatives to using a pen. For example, you could use non-toxic markers or temporary tattoos. These are specifically designed for use on the skin and are less likely to cause irritation or infection.” It adds: “They come in a variety of colors and can be used to create detailed designs or simple doodles.”

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There can also be positive benefits to writing notes by hand. An article in Scientific American this year points out that “a steady stream of research continues to suggest that taking notes the traditional way — with pen and paper or even stylus and tablet — is still the best way to learn.” The research suggests that the individual motion required to create a given letter, as opposed to the “tap” needed to press a letter on a keyboard, helps anchor the information in your brain.

Of course, science suggests writing BY hand, not ON hand. But the benefits should still accrue.

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