Poilievre didn’t go far enough in denouncing anti-Trudeau flags: political scientist

Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre needed to be firmer in denouncing rhetoric and flags criticizing the prime minister, according to an Alberta political scientist.

During an end-of-year news conference on Friday, Dec. 30, Poilievre said he didn’t like the expletive-laden flags some Canadians are using to insult Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

“I don’t like the flags, and I don’t like rage,” Poilievre said. “But I think we have to ask ourselves: ‘Why are people so angry?’ And the answer is that they’re hurting.

“So yes of course we should tell people to be more civil and to reject offensive signs, flags and language, but we should also ask ourselves, ‘why are people hurting so badly?’”

Lori Williams, an associate professor of policy studies at Mount Royal University, says Poilievre’s comments may lead to more discord.

“He’s basically saying it’s the fault of the prime minister and a better leader will unite Canadians,” said Williams. “But it’s not clear to me that what Mr. Poilievre is doing is in any way uniting Canadians. It looks to me like it’s stoking the divisions.”

Poilievre’s comments followed a blog post by former Conservative leader Erin O’Toole, who said one of his hopes for 2023 “is to see fewer profanity-laden Trudeau flags across Canada.

“These flags and the hyper-aggressive rhetoric that often accompanies them are slowly normalizing rage and damaging our democracy.”

O’Toole also wrote they were “the antithesis of what it means to be conservative.”

The anti-Trudeau flags have become particularly linked to the 'Freedom Convoy' protests, whose members Poilievre courted during his successful run for the Conservative leadership earlier this year.

The Conservative caucus had ousted O’Toole as leader just days into the weeks-long protest in Ottawa.

Williams says the current conservative leader’s comments – because they focused on anger towards Trudeau – won’t likely appeal to a wide array of voters.

“They don’t represent the majority of Canadians or even the majority of conservatives,” she said.

“And so I think there are real questions that need to be asked, as Erin O’Toole appears to be asking, ‘what is it that represents conservatism?’”

With files from The Canadian Press.