Canadian politics reflect coarsening trend

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 12/10/2020 (2048 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Many Canadians look at the political scene in the United States and shake their heads in disbelief.

With its recent insult-filled presidential debate, deeply polarized two-party system and convoluted election process — not to mention intimidation tactics employed by extremist groups such as the Proud Boys, and FBI arrests this week related to a plan to kidnap Michigan’s governor as part of a plot to overthrow the state government and start a civil war — it has all become a bit difficult to watch.

But any such feelings of disbelief are misplaced. Recent events demonstrate there’s little reason for smugness on Canadians’ part, and certainly no basis for thinking this type of behaviour won’t make its way north of the 49th parallel.

It’s here, and it’s no laughing matter, as evidenced by the recent defacing, with racist graffiti, of a bus bench featuring an image of Southdale MLA Audrey Gordon. Extremism resides in Winnipeg, as it does in other parts of this country.

It’s not uncommon to read reports of vandals defacing or damaging politicians’ offices, such as what happened to Winnipeg MP Dan Vandal’s office in April and that of Ottawa MP Catherine McKenna in October 2019.

What’s particularly troubling is that some who commit such attacks have become more bold and overt in their tactics. In September, a man accompanied by a videographer harassed New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh on an Ottawa street next to Parliament Hill. A video of the incident shows the man threatening to make a “citizen’s arrest”; later, as Mr. Singh walks away, the assailant shouts, “Next time we see you, we’ll have a dance.”

The same man had tried a similar ploy a few days earlier, confronting a Radio-Canada reporter on an Ottawa street, after apparently having mistaken him for a Bloc Québécois MP. A video shows him repeatedly blocking the reporter’s way and standing in front of the door to his workplace.

These videos, which have been widely distributed on social media, show scenes many genteel Canadians would not have thought possible in their country, which has long basked in its global reputation for politeness.

But there are more worrisome trends: consider a July incident in which a pickup truck crashed through the gates of Rideau Hall, the residence of the Governor General, and Rideau Cottage, the temporary home of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his family. A Manitoba man was arrested and faces 22 charges, including for firearms offences and uttering threats.

It’s convenient to believe these are the actions of individuals or tiny groups seeking media attention. But it doesn’t take a long look back in history — only six years, in fact — to recall an attack on Parliament Hill and the nearby National War Memorial that led to a soldier’s death and a shootout in the Centre Block between the intruder and parliamentary security personnel.

What becomes apparent, when considering these and other incidents of abuse and assault, is that Canada is as vulnerable to extremism and violence as any other nation during this era of rabid political polarization and internet-fuelled communities of hate. And the people we elect to represent us face a different kind of threats than in years past.

Rather than smug, Canadians should be more vigilant than ever when it comes to protecting their institutions and the people they elect to represent them. Tougher enforcement of Canada’s laws — including those related to hate crimes — would be a good place to start.