Canada’s most dangerous politician

Pierre Poilievre has always appalled me.

But as Ottawa braces for more “freedom” protests on Parliament Hill that Poilievre unreservedly supports, I grow even more appalled.

That’s because the Conservative leadership race front-runner either somehow truly believes in the crazy ideas and causes that he spouts, or he’s a dishonest non-believer who just shamelessly promotes such nonsense in order to gain support from angry, disaffected Canadians.

What’s more disturbing is that I don’t know which of these two options is more dangerous — for what they say about Poilievre as a potential prime minister, or what they suggest about where Canada is headed as a nation.

Clearly, right-wing extremism and populism is gaining acceptance in Canada — and Poilievre is enthusiastically milking this gathering storm.

He loudly — and proudly — supported the illegal blockades and unruly acts by the so-called “freedom convoy” of truckers that paralyzed downtown Ottawa in February, talks about disposing of all “gatekeepers” who block Canadians from enjoying the “freedom” they deserve, rails against “elites,” vows to fire the Bank of Canada governor, supports volatile bitcoin currency and wants Canada to be a world leader in controversial cryptocurrencies.

Like Donald Trump did in winning the 2016 U.S. presidential election — and is still doing as he gears up for a probable presidential run in 2024 — Poilievre is tapping into some of voters’ worst instincts, stoking populist rage in Canada in much the same way that Trump does.

Importantly, it will be a disaster for Liberals and New Democrats to underestimate the intellectually dishonest Poilievre. Polls indicate he is firmly ahead in the Tory leadership race and is starting to gain strength among swing voters.

Scott Reid, communications director for former prime minister Paul Martin, tweeted a warning this week to those who are convinced voters will reject what he calls “this Cryptoking.” Wrote Reid, “Smug complacency is exactly how countless governments have met their Waterloo. Get on it.”

Clearly, there is profound discontent, unhappiness and anger among frustrated rural residents, minimum-wage workers and small business operators who are starting to vent their rage against Ottawa, against “elites” and against “the privileged.” Canada should rightly be anxious about this populist anger simmering in many parts of our nation.

This unrest comes not just from the fringes, but now from the centre, from “leaders” such as Poilievre, and is allied with the movement of the resentful anti-vaxxers, conspiracy theorists, anti-government anarchists and Trudeau-haters.

Such a movement may have started out as selling itself as being apolitical — despite its ridiculous demands such as having the Governor General kick the ruling Liberals out of office — but it has grown to much more than that.

Most Conservatives appear to like Poilievre, his reckless policies and his support for this movement and disruptive “freedom” rallies. But the consequences of empowering a politician like Poilievre could be devastating and long-lasting.

Regrettably, few Canadians seem to be paying attention to what’s happening within the Tory race and to why Poilievre may be the most dangerous politician in the country right now. He has the potential of splitting not only his own party, but of dividing the country even more than it is now.

It’s time Canadians took notice. The stakes are high — and time is short.