Given the election date is fast approaching I thought I'd do a little bit of a deep dive into the federal Conservative Party:
ARC has spent a great deal of time focusing on the bigots, extremists, and conspiracy theorists firmly ensconced in Max Bernier's PPC, however the stories that have broken during the election remind us that racism is a problem in all of the major political parties just as it is for society as a whole despite an at best naive and at worst willfully ignorant belief that racism doesn't exist in this country:
APTN News has noted that Scheer's spokesperson denied this took place, that Mr. Myke Agecoutay has declined to comment to provide any proof of his assertion, and that the post has been deleted. However regardless of whether or not Scheer himself said this, this is an attitude that too many living in this country still hold.
A further and more pressing concern however might be the unwillingness of the Conservative Party to push back against bigotry for political expedience. The following example is instructive:
Long-time readers will remember Steven Myatt's efforts to have Justin Trudeau arrested and tried for treason via a class action lawsuit because, you know, he actually thought that was how it worked. The effort was laughable and all that the people who contributed ultimately thousands of dollars to the cause received was the knowledge that they allowed Myatt to travel around the country and eventually settle in Calgary where he has since "retired" from political activism; his supporters have seemingly forgotten this particular initiative in the meantime.
I don't doubt that Mr. Scheer probably thought that Myatt's proposal was ridiculous, however it appears instead of calling him out, he seems to have placated Myatt by outwardly entertaining an effort he knew was fevered conspiracy rantings that have no place being humored in political discourse.
And why did Mr. Scheer appear to humour Myatt then if Myatt's claim is to be believed?
My guess is that Scheer didn't want to alienate prospective Conservative voters. Voters such as these:
By not telling Myatt his efforts were off base and that he wouldn't support him, Scheer allowed people who have been calling for, in some cases, the extrajudicial killing of the prime minister to feel that Scheer was on their side.
Another example occurred last year when Trudeau called out a heckler during a stop at a farm in Quebec. Diane Blain shouted loaded questions during the event, including referring to, "Québécois de souche" (white French Quebecers). The term Québécois de souche has racist connotations in the province as it refers to those regarded as "pure" (meaning white) as true Québécois. Basically this it the Québécois version of "old stock Canadian" that we heard during the 2015 election. In fact a well known racist group in the province, Fédération des Québécois de Souche (FQS), uses the term in their name:
Mr. Scheers was quick to jump to the defence of Ms. Blain stating that her questions, which I'll remind readers included the phrase Québécois de souche, claiming that she had legitimate questions:
Another Conservative MP later echoed the same questions as Ms. Blain:
"I totally support what she says unless people find it offensive in which case I totally reject it!"
I would suggest this as a clear example of trying to suck and blow at the same time.
Now while I wouldn't expect Mr. Scheer to have any idea who Steven Myatt or a member of La Meute might be when he has a photo taken with them, he can't argue ignorance when he attends an event organized by Islamophobes and racists such as the Convoy to Ottawa which presented itself as a pro-pipeline event....
....but which in fact featured xenophobes and conspiracy theorists:
Hamish Marshall is only one of the people on Mr Scheer's senior staff who are of concern:
ARC has written about Georganne Burke on a few occasions:
Not surprised he stands by those people. @AndrewScheer is unfit #elxn43 #cdnpoli https://t.co/ykkShF5hqf pic.twitter.com/O0d8ZsgTZk— Tanner (@tanneralford1) September 15, 2019
ARC has spent a great deal of time focusing on the bigots, extremists, and conspiracy theorists firmly ensconced in Max Bernier's PPC, however the stories that have broken during the election remind us that racism is a problem in all of the major political parties just as it is for society as a whole despite an at best naive and at worst willfully ignorant belief that racism doesn't exist in this country:
I grew up in Regina, @AndrewScheer's riding, & very likely the most racist place in Canada.— Louis Busch (@LouisBusch) September 23, 2019
"I don't need indians to win" says Scheer to the tribal council.
A very familiar attitude.
This is not leadership material.#onpoli #cdnpoli #elxn43 pic.twitter.com/ARPNyv4rV7
APTN News has noted that Scheer's spokesperson denied this took place, that Mr. Myke Agecoutay has declined to comment to provide any proof of his assertion, and that the post has been deleted. However regardless of whether or not Scheer himself said this, this is an attitude that too many living in this country still hold.
A further and more pressing concern however might be the unwillingness of the Conservative Party to push back against bigotry for political expedience. The following example is instructive:
Long-time readers will remember Steven Myatt's efforts to have Justin Trudeau arrested and tried for treason via a class action lawsuit because, you know, he actually thought that was how it worked. The effort was laughable and all that the people who contributed ultimately thousands of dollars to the cause received was the knowledge that they allowed Myatt to travel around the country and eventually settle in Calgary where he has since "retired" from political activism; his supporters have seemingly forgotten this particular initiative in the meantime.
I don't doubt that Mr. Scheer probably thought that Myatt's proposal was ridiculous, however it appears instead of calling him out, he seems to have placated Myatt by outwardly entertaining an effort he knew was fevered conspiracy rantings that have no place being humored in political discourse.
And why did Mr. Scheer appear to humour Myatt then if Myatt's claim is to be believed?
My guess is that Scheer didn't want to alienate prospective Conservative voters. Voters such as these:
By not telling Myatt his efforts were off base and that he wouldn't support him, Scheer allowed people who have been calling for, in some cases, the extrajudicial killing of the prime minister to feel that Scheer was on their side.
Another example occurred last year when Trudeau called out a heckler during a stop at a farm in Quebec. Diane Blain shouted loaded questions during the event, including referring to, "Québécois de souche" (white French Quebecers). The term Québécois de souche has racist connotations in the province as it refers to those regarded as "pure" (meaning white) as true Québécois. Basically this it the Québécois version of "old stock Canadian" that we heard during the 2015 election. In fact a well known racist group in the province, Fédération des Québécois de Souche (FQS), uses the term in their name:
In 2012, they demonstrated against the "denationalization" of culture. In 2013, anti-immigration flyers, signed FQS, were distributed in Chicoutimi. The following year, the organization's stickers indicating "0% halal, 0% kosher, 100% Quebec" were affixed in several places in the same borough of Saguenay. More recently, it was Sherbrooke's turn to see the FQS stickers .
Their mission: to defend the ethnic interests of native Quebeckers, descendants of the settlers who populated Quebec a few hundred years ago. To protect Quebec's heritage, the FQS is opposed to "mass" immigration, to the point where it would support any political party proposing to put an end to it, "whether it be left, center or right Explained spokesperson Rémi Tremblay, in an interview with VICE.In fact Blain appears to have had connection to at least two Quebec far-right groups including La Meute:
Source: Montreal Simon |
Mr. Scheers was quick to jump to the defence of Ms. Blain stating that her questions, which I'll remind readers included the phrase Québécois de souche, claiming that she had legitimate questions:
Another Conservative MP later echoed the same questions as Ms. Blain:
"I totally support what she says unless people find it offensive in which case I totally reject it!"
I would suggest this as a clear example of trying to suck and blow at the same time.
Now while I wouldn't expect Mr. Scheer to have any idea who Steven Myatt or a member of La Meute might be when he has a photo taken with them, he can't argue ignorance when he attends an event organized by Islamophobes and racists such as the Convoy to Ottawa which presented itself as a pro-pipeline event....
Western Canadian separatist crybabies are getting international attention again. As always, their argument is that it’s unfair for non-Albertans ever to be in power in Ottawa 🙄— TorontoDefender🏳️🌈🏴 (@DefenderToronto) October 6, 2019
Wexit: Why some Albertans want to separate from Canada https://t.co/42va4Tj0Y1
....but which in fact featured xenophobes and conspiracy theorists:
- Major Media White Washes Yellow Vests Movement and Convoy to Ottawa: Ignores Racism, Antisemitism, Islamophobia, Homophobia, and Misogyny Endemic to Reactionary Movement
- More Extremists Associated With Yellow Vests Convoy to Ottawa: Christopher Hayes
- More Fallout From the Yellow Vests Convoy: Video Exposes Major Fault Lines
- Yellow Vests Canada Admin Marc "Tyler" Malenfant's Paranoia Disturbing and Enlightening
This of course brings up another connection:
Banned by Facebook for spreading online hate, yet Faith Goldy is embraced by Andrew Scheer’s Conservatives. Scheer & Goldy spoke at the same rally this year, and today he campaigns with Justina McCaffrey, Faith Goldy’s “best friend.” They even pitched a TV show together. Watch: pic.twitter.com/u6HO7Vy9HC— Maryam Monsef (@MaryamMonsef) September 14, 2019
Conservative candidate Justina McCaffrey fled questions from @CBCKatie following a campaign rally with Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer.— CBC Politics (@CBCPolitics) September 14, 2019
Liberal candidates posted old videos of McCaffrey Saturday -- one that includes friend Faith Goldy.#Elexn43 #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/4kS8QPvyR9
Andrew Scheer appeared at the same Yellow Vests Canada rally as Faith Goldy in February. Andrew Scheer has appeared on a Rebel Media show with Faith Goldy. Andrew Scheer ran his @CPC_HQ leadership from Rebel Media offices. His campaign director helped found Rebel Media. #cdnpoli https://t.co/AQSMDGFuLx— Neil Before Zod™ (@ThatsMrNeil) September 14, 2019
Goldy a"former journalist"?😂🤣😂🤣😂— (((Isabella Bardoel))) 🍁🌷 (@IsabellaBardoel) September 17, 2019
Yup, her pal Ezra is fully in charge at @nationalpost
How Faith Goldy became the most dangerous woman not on the campaign trail https://t.co/HrkUKqKpmR
While Goldy is much more of an overt white nationalist now....
.... she was already pushing far-right narratives and anti-Muslim conspiracy theories while working as for Ezra Levant's Rebel Media prior to her dismissal for appearing on a neo-Nazi podcast after the Charlottesville rally. That fact didn't stop Scheer or other members of the Conservative Party from courting her and The Rebel:
I don't much care whether Trudeau happened to grab drinks w Goldy and friends or not.— Alheli Picazo (@a_picazo) September 21, 2019
But since we're talking about Goldy and the people she schmoozed w as accredited media in 2012 - here she is with Harper (and drinks!) two months after that Liberal conference. #cdnpoli #elxn43 pic.twitter.com/iN2oqy2RDe
It was only after Charlottesville that the Goldy and Rebel brand became toxic:
Watch Andrew Scheer Panic and Flee When Journalists Ask About His Connections to Rebel Mediahttps://t.co/nCfnDdHEsB #cdnpoli #elxn43 #elxn2019— Ed the Sock (@EdtheSock) September 27, 2019
However it wasn't so toxic that Mr. Scheer didn't decide to bring a founder of The Rebel onto his senior adviser staff:
Indeed. https://t.co/xgpyhYfQUe— Ed the Sock (@EdtheSock) September 30, 2019
Your periodic reminder that rebel cofounder Hamish Marshall is Scheer’s campaign manager and is still tight with rebel - per Ezra Levant. #cdnpoli @davidakin #cdnmedia #elxn43 https://t.co/gkkzcVERYM— sarbjit kaur (@sarbjitkaur1) September 24, 2019
Hamish Marshall is only one of the people on Mr Scheer's senior staff who are of concern:
ARC has written about Georganne Burke on a few occasions:
I also believe ARC broke a story involving Burke's membership on a number of Facebook hate groups including the World Wide Coalition Against Islam:
And in news that should surprise no one, she pushes the Soros conspiracy narrative:
Of course the Sun's editor-in-chief is friends with Georganne "Soros is bringing down Western civilization" Burke: pic.twitter.com/SjWciGLSbM— Jonathan Goldsbie (@goldsbie) March 23, 2019
Ms. Burke is still very much involved in the Conservative campaign:
Then there are the candidates past and present:
This was shared with me by a CPC source. Coupled with the video we saw of an empty Scheer rally in Brampton a few days ago it really paints a picture of a CPC campaign that is struggling in Ontario. The Ford factor at work? #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/c4eypQB13G— Ethan Cox (@EthanCoxMtl) October 4, 2019
Then there are the candidates past and present:
‘Proud to Be White’: Conservative Candidate Resigns After Secret Anti-Immigrant Facebook Account Discovered(https://t.co/CeL7wMh92O)— National Newswatch (@natnewswatch) September 12, 2019
Ontario PC party vetting report obtained by CTV News advised "strict red light" for candidate now running for CPC. Report says, inter alia, that she promoted conspiracy theories online. Scheer defended her this week. @rachaiello https://t.co/MJg5G6nUy1— Glen McGregor (@glen_mcgregor) September 15, 2019
1. I obtained a 2016 Ontario PC party internal report on current federal Tory candidate Ghada Melek, who was running for a provincial seat in Mississauga that year, but dropped out. The report linked to several (now deleted) homophobic FB posts. https://t.co/oolYeF7sAi— Steven Zhou 东北人 (@stevenzzhou) August 2, 2019
Faith Goldy flashed hate-linked hand sign in 2017 photo with Conservative candidate Justina McCaffrey #cdnpoli https://t.co/jG56GZZDGx (subs) pic.twitter.com/CmuVvVLu2Y— The Hill Times (@TheHillTimes) September 30, 2019
NEW: Andrew Scheer’s Conservatives approved a candidate who wanted Vancouver’s pride parade ‘banned’.— PressProgress (@pressprogress) September 15, 2019
Asked if he wished to clarify his thinking on the topic, the candidate suddenly deleted his Twitter account.https://t.co/U9CEyaNixX #cdnpoli #bcpoli
Another day, another @CPC_HQ candidate is being called out by @liberal_party over old social media posts. This time it's a Vancouver Island candidate over apparent racist comments on Facebook. @HedyFry tweeted these comments by Nanaimo-Ladysmith's John Hirst. @NEWS1130 pic.twitter.com/BN3qMck20X— Lauren Boothby (@laurby) September 15, 2019
.@AndrewScheer Speaking for accountability for one’s actions, what will the consequences be for my @CPC_HQ candidate after his very recent NZ terrorist speech and this? #cdnpoli #AbLeg https://t.co/jftaF1LWgK— Thomas A. Lukaszuk (@LukaszukAB) September 22, 2019
That's okay though. Mr. Scheer suggests that after an apology everything is forgiven:
Justina McCaffrey:— Luke LeBrun (@_llebrun) September 15, 2019
1. Ran away, jumped in a car, had chauffeur step on gas;
2. Issued a demonstrably false statement to the media;
3. Has not explained or taken responsibility for anything.
Scheer is still standing by this candidate even though she hasn’t done any of the below: https://t.co/NV8ODRAxGG
Scheer will stand by candidates with racist, homophobic past comments as long as they apologize | CBC News https://t.co/TKa2T2Jiym— National Newswatch (@natnewswatch) September 15, 2019
So it was all a big fat lie when you said there was no room for bigotry in your party. All that gesture, the finger in the air, the "there's the door", it was all for the camera, right?! @AndrewScheer, you did not show ANYONE the door. Hypocricy! #cdnpoli #elxn43 #ScheerDisaster https://t.co/pXZZtAyl6V pic.twitter.com/KfaasGMmfR— Adam Bolt (@AdamBolt13) September 15, 2019
There is at least one candidate who,makes common cause with neo Nazi enabler, Faith Goldy, not exactly sure how you apologize for that. And now it looks like there is more to,come? Oy vay! @antihateca @ARCCollective @AndrewScheer @VestsCanada https://t.co/2AUVvYqjP5— BernieFarber (@BernieFarber) September 15, 2019
Or not apologize:
VIDEO: Conservative leader Andrew Scheer refuses to apologize for comparing same-sex marriage to a doghttps://t.co/5Bnb7IfG01 #cdnpoli— PressProgress (@pressprogress) September 16, 2019
Andrew Scheer once compared gay marriage to a dog thinking a tail is an extra leg. All Canadians know that Andrew Scheer is homophobic. Andrew Scheer is an evangelical extremist who is beholden to the Christian right. #cdnpoli #elxn43https://t.co/rymrwCHujj— Neil Before Zod™ (@ThatsMrNeil) September 25, 2019
TODAY: Andrew Scheer AGAIN refused to apologize for comparing same sex marriage to dog tails— Canadian Poli 🇨🇦 (@cdnpoli_memes) September 24, 2019
Listen and share 👇#elxn43 #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/EmuOMGSrDI
.@AndrewScheer had no issues with Brad Trost's #Homophobic / #Transphobic views. That's what the #CPC considers to be "big tent" tolerance. Scheer never apologized for comparing same-sex marriage to dog tails.#Trudeau apologized. #Scheer won't.#LGBTQts #LGBTQ #cdnpoli #elxn43 pic.twitter.com/bncVRXW9Fm— Jason Pugh (@TheJasonPugh) September 19, 2019
Good God man - just apologize! You compared the committed, sacrificial, loving marriages of same-sex couples to the anatomy of a dog. And you want to be Prime Minister of Canada? #cdnpoli #LGBT #canadavotes2019 https://t.co/KtQvh8T76K— Michael Coren (@michaelcoren) September 15, 2019