It is time for Canadians to confront Poilievre’s assault on decency

Posted on August 2, 2024 in Governance Debates

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TheStar.com – Opinion/Contributors
Aug. 1, 2024.   By Christopher Holcroft, Contributor

According to a Security and Intelligence Threats to Elections Task Force report, extremist narratives have “increasingly normalized” threats to politicians and “have the potential to negatively affect the fabric of Canadian society.”

“Have you no sense of decency, sir?”

This dramatic rebuke by lawyer Joseph Welch to U.S. Sen. Joseph McCarthy during a televised hearing in 1954 turned public opinion decisively against the senator’s infamous campaign to persecute his opponents with baseless accusations.

As Americans struggle to overcome a new political threat, it is time for Canadians to confront the assault on decency happening in our own country.

I have advocated for civil discourse for 15 years, and have been a student of politics for many years longer.

The rhetoric and politics of federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is a dramatically new and dangerous development for Canada.

After the assassination attempt on U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump and recent attacks on the prime ministers of Slovakia and Denmark, Poilievre was asked for his reaction to fears political rhetoric is leading to political violence.

“No need to tone down,” he declared. “My criticisms of the prime minister are entirely reasonable.”

Are they though?

Recently, Poilievre referred to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (as well as the Liberal and New Democratic parties) as “extremists,” “raving wackos” and “lunatics” who “detest the working class” and have “total disdain for the common people.”

Poilievre’s indifference to the harms of inflammatory speech is irresponsible. Elsewhere in the country, heated language toward politicians has risen to the level of threats of violence.

In July, the RCMP announced the arrest of two men charged in June for uttering threats to kill Trudeau, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, and federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh.

While not directly related, words do have consequences.

According to a Security and Intelligence Threats to Elections Task Force report, extremist narratives have “increasingly normalized” threats to politicians and “have the potential to negatively affect the fabric of Canadian society.”

Appealing to the menacing and misinformed has been a part of Poilievre’s political style for years. Consider the misogynist “mgtow” tags on his YouTube videos, his questioning of the value of compensating residential school survivors, his support for the freedom convoy, his defending of far-right website Rebel Media, his meeting with protesters holding extreme anti-government views, his promoting of misinformation (such as suggesting wildfires in Alberta were started by the Trudeau government or giving air to the “Great Reset” conspiracy theory), and his siding with radical “parental rights” marchers over LGBTQ+ kids and their families.

As my Nana would advise, show me who you go with and I will show you what you are.

While it may have become a Canadian cliché to say this is “not who we are,” surely this is not what we aspire to be.

In addition to vilifying political opponents, Poilievre has taken to insulting journalists and attacking private citizens whose professional duties, policy advocacy or academic research conflict with his own views.

Some of Poilievre’s messages have resulted in others facing harassment, hate, and even death threats.

Through misrepresentation and mockery, disinformation and demonization, Poilievre and his allies are affirming a culture of bullying — social, economic, and political — that risks overtaking our civic square.

There are undeniable parallels with the political situation in the U.S., which is why it is unsurprising, if no less disturbing, that Poilievre is lauded by the likes of Alex Jones, Joe Rogan, and Fox News.

To American essayist Adam Gopnik, who spent his formative years in Montreal, these recent developments are “shocking” and “un-Canadian.”

These are challenging times for Canada, and for democracies around the world. Exploiting people’s frustrations and fears will do nothing to make life more affordable, improve access to health care, address climate change or strengthen equality.

Canada’s common decency — the enduring values of civility and caring, honesty and humility — are central to understanding our country. These are the national characteristics that have inspired our greatest accomplishments and shielded us from our worst crises.

This is how we raise our kids, and what we teach in our schools, preach in our places of worship and promote in our sports.

Such sentiment was fittingly shared by hockey player Wayne Gretzky in his eulogy at former prime minister Brian Mulroney’s funeral.

“Our country is all about coming together, being friendly, helping other people and paying respects,” he said.

We must fight to hold on to these values and reject the politics of Poilievre.

In so doing, we can ensure decency remains Canada’s north star.

Christopher Holcroft is a writer and advocate for civil dialogue.

https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/it-is-time-for-canadians-to-confront-poilievres-assault-on-decency/article_cb32beea-4a95-11ef-8506-23b3042203b3.html?source=newsletter&utm_content=a02&utm_source=ts_nl&utm_medium=email&utm_email=0C810E7AE4E7C3CEB3816076F6F9881B&utm_campaign=top_192

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