Pierre Poilievre is in. To the surprise of few, the conservative politician wants the leadership of his conservative party. And they will hardly need a vote as long as Poilievre’s friends are camped on Wellington Street in Ottawa.
The end result of this for the conservative party should be embarrassment. Poilievre is the worst possible choice for leader of a Canadian political party.
Poilievre is what is described as a career politician. His political future was probably being planned when still a student at the University of Calgary. He has little understanding of average Canadians, their interests, employment opportunities and their entertainments. Nor does he seem particularly concerned about their needs, wants or ambitions.
While not trained in economics, Poilievre has made right wing economics his cause. He appears to draw on the Milton Freidman economics of the Chicago School. He centres on social conservative issues and holds extreme views on small government and minimal taxation.
His extremist views on taxation make him appear mean. His exchanges in the House of Commons come across as cruel, carping, and lacking in substantiation. He unrealistically accuses the prime minister of causing inflation in Canada by trying to keep Canada’s economy stable through the pandemic of Covid-19. He refuses to recognize the economic imbalance caused by the pandemic and the need for the federal government to provide additional healthcare support, stability for business and financial support for wage earners at times of extreme stress caused by intermittent lock-downs.
Neither he nor many of the politicians in his party have realized that their constant demonizing of other parties and their leaders has led to an increasing atmosphere of political dissension in Canada. The general distrust of government, political leaders and government officials is spreading into distrust of the news media, scientists, teachers, healthcare workers and industry leaders. Respect starts at the top. If our leaders cannot be civil and understanding and truthful in their performance in government, how do you expect our citizens to behave as respectful of our society?
Mr. Poilievre is the wrong kind of leader at this time and hopefully always.
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Copyright 2022 © Peter Lowry
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