The federal Conservatives are promising to crack down on "fentanyl kingpins" by bringing in mandatory life sentences for those convicted of trafficking, producing or exporting more than 40 mg of the drug.

Fentanyl trafficking, under existing law, can already be punished with life in prison, and sentences are often more than 10 years

Pierre Poilievre is scheduled to hold a news conference in Vancouver later Wednesday, following an announcement that a Conservative government would bring in mandatory life sentences for those convict

Poilievre is scheduled to hold a news conference in Vancouver later Wednesday. The Conservatives also want traffickers caught with between 20 mg and 40 mg of the drug to be sentenced to 15 years in prison. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, two milligrams can kill a person. Health Canada says “a few grains” can be deadly.

Pierre Poilievre says a Conservative government would bring in mandatory life sentences for those convicted of trafficking, production and distribution of over 40 mg of fentanyl.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Wednesday that, if elected, he will change the Criminal Code so all drug 'kingpins' convicted of trafficking major quantities of fentanyl are hit with mandatory life sentences.