For Years, Conservative MPs Have Been Sympathizing With The Far Right

The recent meeting of Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s Members of Parliament with European Parliament member Christine Anderson, who represents the far-right Alternative für Deutschland party, is still causing significant fallout within the Canadian political landscape. Anderson is a highly controversial figure with a history of strong anti-immigrant, anti-Islam, anti-vaccine, and derogatory views towards the LGBTQ+ community.

Poilievre quickly released a statement denouncing Anderson and his MPs’ meeting with her, stating, “Frankly, it would be better if Anderson never visited Canada in the first place. She and her racist, hateful views are not welcome here.” While this statement was strongly worded, it also acknowledged that it is not uncommon for members of Parliament to meet with visiting elected officials from other countries, and that his party had recently met with an elected representative of the European Parliament while she was in Canada.

However, the fallout from this meeting is not simply a matter of one isolated incident. The Conservative party has a long history of meeting and supporting far-right members or groups, and their rhetoric consistently veers towards the offensive and the controversial. While Poilievre and his MPs may claim ignorance about Anderson’s views and affiliations, as elected officials with significant resources and staff at their disposal, they have the means to know everything about every head of state and government official traveling to Canada.

This raises further questions about the party’s motivations and priorities. Although Poilievre’s denounced Anderson’s views, the fact remains that his party has a consistent pattern of offending and then asking for forgiveness later. And while it is true that politicians often meet with a wide range of individuals, the level of scrutiny that an MP’s office takes to know who they are meeting is unprecedented. It is, therefore, not unreasonable to suggest that the Conservative party needs the votes of white supremacists and far-right sympathizers to keep them elected.

Conservative politics’ trajectory would suggests that the party is willing to compromise on its values and principles to win elections. It also sends a worrying message to vulnerable communities, who may feel their concerns and perspectives are not represented in the political process.

It is a shame and disgrace that some members of Canada’s conservative party would choose to associate themselves with far-right politicians and hate groups. As elected officials, they have a responsibility to serve all Canadians, regardless of their race, religion, or beliefs. By lending their support to individuals and groups who spread hate and division, they have betrayed that responsibility and shown themselves to be unworthy of the public trust.

Let it be clear: any party that has a sympathetic ear to hate groups or individuals who promote hateful rhetoric has no place in Canadian politics. Our country is built on a foundation of diversity, inclusion, and acceptance. We cannot allow these values to be undermined by those who seek to sow division and hatred.

To any elected official who is complicit in amplifying hate rhetoric, we say this: you do not deserve to be in office, and you do not deserve to serve the people of Canada. We must hold our leaders to the highest standards of integrity and accountability and demand that they uphold the values that make Canada inclusive. Anything less is a betrayal of our shared heritage and a threat to the future of our country.