‘Protest is essential to any democracy, but hatred spreads when it is tolerated’: society needs to push back on incidents against politicians, say politicos
Former NDP strategist Cam Holmstrom asks ‘how many good people are we losing from the public space’ because of such scenes.
We need federal legislation to fight online hate in Canada
According to Statistics Canada, members of the Jewish community were the target of 55 per cent of all religiously motivated hate crimes, although accounting for only about one per cent of the population.
Hyper-partisanship diminishes voter choice
Ever-increasing partisanship weakens all parties and makes Parliament less effective, eroding democracy. If we don’t have strong parties with clear platforms, our choices are diminished.
‘I’ve never seen the country in a darker, more divided mood than we find it today’: polarization, unpopular leaders present challenges for parties to break out of poll stasis, pollsters say
Greg Lyle of Innovative Research says a summer cabinet shuffle offers ‘relaunch’ for Liberals, while Nik Nanos recommends Poilievre avoid the spotlight.
Trump hands Poilievre’s Conservatives the bully’s blueprint to power
Those seeking the highest office have every right to criticize and hold to the government to account, but not to carry hyperbole into a much darker place. It is time to adopt a higher standard.
Do ministers and senior public servants need bodyguards?
The internet has transformed the relation between politicians and the public, and giving fuel to the fire might rebound on those who stoke it.
‘Polarizing’ Alberta campaign ‘a harbinger of what to expect’ in next federal election, say insiders
It would be a mistake for Pierre Poilievre to run on a populist message in the next federal election as that vote will be decided in the suburbs of major urban centres, not in rural ridings, says Prof. Duane Bratt of Mount Royal University.
Commons Speaker needs more sway in raucous House, but there’s ‘not a lot of charm on either side of the House’ right now, say politicos
The Speaker should decide who speaks in the House, not party whips, says Elizabeth May, while Nik Nanos says the lack of charm on either side of the Chamber reflects the tone at the top. ‘Both the Liberals and the Conservatives are feeling a lot of pressure.’
Alberta election will provide insight into Canadian tolerance for extremism
The Alberta race is a potential watershed for Canadians, many of whom seem ready to give the kind of anger-based, hateful politics flourishing in the U.S. a try.
‘Our democracy, just like our journalism, is not dead yet,’ says Tremonti on World Press Freedom Day
Politicians also have a role to play in stopping threats against journalists, says Anna Maria Tremonti. ‘[We need] people who can look beyond party politics to a way forward, no matter which party is the government of the day.’
