I was disappointed this week, although not particularly surprised, about the caucus coup that removed Erin O’Toole as leader of the Conservative Party of Canada—to the point that I have resigned as a member of that party.
I don’t believe he was a perfect leader. One cannot lead and at the same time be all things to all people, as he tried to be.
But first of all, I have a problem with a process that allows 73 members of Parliament to remove a national leader who was elected by many thousands of members of the Conservative Party. It is interesting to note that the Trudeau Liberal MPs rejected that process. Their Conservative counterparts did not.
More importantly to me, however, is that O’Toole’s ouster signals loudly and clearly that the federal Conservative Party has moved further to the right on the political spectrum than many so-called Progressive Conservatives are willing to go. I am one of those. The battle to unite all Conservatives under one roof has been lost.
Instead, what I see is a jousting match between the Conservative Party and Maxime Bernier’s People’s Party of Canada to see which one can “out-right” the other. Candice Bergen, the interim leader of the Conservative Party says that her priority is to unify caucus. That will be interesting to watch as no one has really been successful in doing that since Brian Mulroney was prime minister.
It is significant, however, that Candice Bergen is an acknowledged right-wing social Conservative, rigid in some of her ideology, supportive of convoy occupiers staying in Ottawa, and, to boot, she has shown some signs in the recent past of Trumpism. Then you have Pierre Poilievre, another acknowledged social Conservative, seeking to become Conservative leader and widely seen as the heir apparent.
Put all of this together and there is little doubt that while the mantra that the tent is wide will no doubt continue, the right wing of the Conservative Party is firmly in control. There is no longer any traditional conservative balance. I have not changed but the party has and, sadly, that is the end of the road for me.
The Liberal back-room boys and girls must be chortling in their Cabernet right now. The Freedom Convoy came to Ottawa to destroy the Trudeau Government. Instead, it is the Tories who are in disarray.
With the convoy continuing its presence, there is a standoff in Ottawa right now, one that is spreading to other parts of the country. It is not a truckers’ protest over vaccinations anymore. Many of them have gone home and 90 per cent of them were never there in the first place. Rather, it is a demonstration that has turned into an occupying force, promoted by fringe activists whose stated aim is to overthrow the government. I know there are people who do not like me saying that, but it is my opinion. Here is why.
Demonstrators are like people in Huntsville and Bracebridge who have strong views and honest disagreement and line the sidewalks with their signs, waving and thanking people who drive by and honk their support. That is a peaceful protest.
Occupiers are those who won’t go home, who issue manifestos, who are there to disrupt, who block intersections, impede freedom of movement, wave flags and signs of insurrection, embrace noise pollution, and build wooden structures to maintain their occupation.
That, and not peaceful protests, is what results in a stand-off. At some point it will have to end.
I would love to be a fly on the wall in both the Liberal and Conservative back rooms as they try to figure out how to bring that about. I see two possible scenarios here, neither of them very pretty.
The Conservatives could reverse their position on the convoy—in spite of the implicit support by a number of their elected members—some of whom, immediately after dumping O’Toole, posed shamelessly for all to see with a group of actual troublemakers.
But Tories can read the tea leaves as well as anyone. They will know that many, if not most, Canadians are now getting tired of the convoy and the protests around the country, just as they are tired of the pandemic. That can be a toxic mix. If things continue to be ugly, Conservatives will be an easy target to blame because of the support they have shown to the remaining agitators.
So, watch for heir apparent, Pierre Poilievre, to now say to the current organizers of the convoy that their message has been heard and that to achieve their ultimate objective their best course is to return to their homes and work hard to make him the next prime minister of Canada. He will be then viewed by many as defusing the harmful activism (something the prime minister failed to do) and at the same time he is promoting his own interests. A win-win, from his perspective.
On the other side of the House, Liberal advisors may well be telling Prime Minister Trudeau to hang tough, to see how this plays out, and, if as expected, anger grows across the country and the protests and disruptions continue, blame it all on the Tories.
Then, those advisors might tell the PM he would have an opportunity to do something he could never get away with under any other circumstances. He could call yet another snap election on the basis that the disruption of the country could not continue, and that Canadians need to send a clear message that they have had enough.
Liberals can read the tea leaves too. If they can corral that anger, if they can take advantage of the disarray within the Conservative ranks, there is a prospect they could achieve what they have been unable to achieve in the past two elections: a majority government.
It would give Justin Trudeau four more years at the helm, if he wants it, a prospect that has been dimming for him by the week, and it would also send a message to at least one of his wannabe successors that he is going to be around for a while, so cool it. A double win for the prime minister.
In relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, most Canadians know that we are in sight of the finish line. Most hopefully also know that we would not be there were it not for stringent precautions over the past two years. But it has been annoying, inconvenient, and exhausting. That has the potential of making us angry and vulnerable and, at least to some degree, it has worked.
The Freedom Convoy, or whatever you want to call it, has played on that anger and vulnerability. And so now will the Liberals and Conservatives as they work to take advantage of it.
Whatever the outcome, when it comes to the safety, prosperity, and the peaceful pursuit of happiness for Canadians, I am having a hard time seeing a positive outcome.
That should concern us all.
Hugh Mackenzie
Hugh Mackenzie has held elected office as a trustee on the Muskoka Board of Education, a Huntsville councillor, a District councillor, and mayor of Huntsville. He has also served as chairman of the District Muskoka and as chief of staff to former premier of Ontario, Frank Miller.
Hugh has served on a number of provincial, federal and local boards, including chair of the Ontario Health Disciplines Board, vice-chair of the Ontario Family Health Network, vice-chair of the Ontario Election Finance Commission, and board member of Roy Thomson Hall, the National Theatre School of Canada, and the Anglican Church of Canada. Locally, he has served as president of the Huntsville Rotary Club, chair of Huntsville District Memorial Hospital, chair of the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, president of Huntsville Festival of the Arts, and board member of Community Living Huntsville.
In business, Hugh Mackenzie has a background in radio and newspaper publishing. He was also a founding partner and CEO of Enterprise Canada, a national public affairs and strategic communications firm established in 1986.
Currently, Hugh is president of C3 Digital Media Inc., the parent company of Doppler Online, and he enjoys writing commentary for Huntsville Doppler.
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Hugh, I like Andrew Coyne, am shocked that the Conservative Party continually insists on adopting positions that are 50 or more years old and that the rest of us have moved beyond. I assure you that Liberals are NOT chortling over this. We need a healthy Conservative Party to have a healthy country. What a heartbreaking choice you have made but I totally understand it. I thought Mr. O’toole was a sign of hope and like you I can not believe he was ousted so quickly.
It seems we are on the same page on this Hugh. I will not be renewing my membership in the Conservative party and withdrawing my financial support. Their position of late, and particularly throughout the illegal occupation of our capital, has been a disgrace.
I did send our MP, Mr Aitchison, an email stating my views and received a rambling form letter in return that was virtually unreadable and filled with right wing party platform bull crap. It was very disappointing.
While I now feel politically homeless, I do agree with the PM’s stance and his position on this embarrassing situation our country finds itself in. It likely will result in a new vote for the liberals but I certainly will not be supporting the Trumpian disciples Bergen and Pollievre.
Freedom! The convoy seems to have that already. They did drive thousands of km. across Canada.
Rights, however do not come alone.
You cannot have a right without incurring a responsibility. The two are linked like parts of an atom.
As a very simple example, you and I have the right to travel about in our country, drive around and look at things if you do it that way. However, if we decide to drive, we need to follow some rules to maintain safety and order on the roads. This is the linked responsibility.
If we all just headed off, driving anywhere on the road at any speed we liked and ignoring things like stop signs or street lights because we wanted the freedom to do this, chaos would be the result. Much scrap metal would be created and many would die.
Things are inextricably linked whether we like it or not. We don’t get to make that choice.
Truckers’ ” Freedom Convoy ” Rolled Over the federal Conservative Party
John Barltrop
Feb 4, 2022, 9:34 PM (6 days ago)
to candice.bergen, pm, chrystia.freeland, jagmeet, omar.alghabra, yves-francois.blanchet, premierministre, andrew.scheer, marco.mendicino, jim.watson, erin.otoole, michael.chong, michelle.rempel, premier, mayor_tory
Dear Interim Conservative Leader Candice Bergen
I totally agree with PM Trudeau that he should not negotiate with the protesters who are insurrectionists and anarchists that are now occupying and holding our capital city of Ottawa hostage .
I am appalled that you and fellow Conservative MPs had photo ops which were viewed across all aspects of the media nationally, and internationally ( ie Late Night Shows: Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel ) . You are going against the vast majority of Canadians who have taken the shot .In Ontario, 90% of Ontarians have received at least 2 shots. Ontarians have little patience for those who won’t do the safe , neighbourly thing of getting vaxxed .
Today, CTV senior political correspondent Ottawa stated : I quote
Interim Conservative Leader Candice Bergen pushed predecessor Erin O’Toole to show support for the Freedom Convoy protest, arguing last week there are “good people on both sides,” an echo of the phrase made infamous by former U.S. president Donald Trump after a Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Va., in 2017.
Bergen also told O’Toole and other members of the Conservative shadow cabinet that there were “reasonable people” at the truckers’ protest, just as there were in the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. ”
With those comments I hope that you will resign the post of Interim Conservative leader . Your party is fractured into many uncontrolled camps-Reformists , Libertarians,Social Conservatives , Christian Right , and Populists. .
Middle -class families in suburban ridings across this country (-Halifax , Montreal , Toronto, Calgary , Vancouver ), New Canadians , BIPOC Canadians and LGBTQ Canadians aren’t going to join a party that appears to encourage Trump Style Politics / American style populism .
There are definite fissures in the Conservative Caucus as of today.
1) Conservative Quebec MP Pierre Paul-Hus says the Ottawa protest “is a siege being controlled by anarchist groups “.
2) Conservative caucus senator Denise Patterson of Nunavut is leaving the Conservative caucus over his colleagues supporting the protest.
In conclusion , your party will be in the wilderness for years as Canadians, especially in suburban centers, will not forget this selfish, arrogant Truckers’ Freedom Convoy that has morphed into a protest to overthrow our democracy.
From my perspective ,the Truckers’ Freedom Convoy has rolled over the Conservative party , and not PM Trudeau’s Liberal party as you had hoped .
john barltrop
Markham , Ontario
Most diverse , inclusive city in Canada
Thank you for your insightful comments about the political responses to the protesters who want to abolish our attempts to keep the pandemic under control. As a fan of “ Beau of the Fifth Column”, an American ex-military commentator that you can hear on You Tube, you might be interested in his response to our protesters. Check his entry “ Let’s talk about Canada’s Response to the truckers”. He feels that the police are doing exactly what is right by doing as little as possible. Confrontation will only bring out supporters to stand beside the protesters. These protesters say they want the freedom to work and yet by their actions, they are taking away the rights of others to work. Let’s hope that calmer heads prevail soon.
While I enjoy reading the Globe and Mail’s letters to the editor, I really enjoy seeing the opinions flow on the Huntsville Doppler. You always learn something.
What I think is missing in Canada’s political environment is cooperation AMONG the elected parties. Certainly every single issue that arises in Canada cannot be so divisive that it’s portrayed or depicted as an “either/or” scenario.
Concerning this illegal “Freedom Convoy” – which using the word Freedom is unbelievably hypocritical – I suspect you’ll see the Conservatives ultimately realizing the continued support of this misguided group will ultimately sour any future new attraction to their party, which it so desperately needs should it wish to actually be a political contender. They’ve already shot themselves in one foot by not denouncing this illegal protest and are badly hobbling on the one good foot they have left. It’s decision time!
A public denouncement, followed by numerous and wide-spread individual Conservative members also publicly supporting their party’s denouncement using every media outlet available to them will be the first step.
And that may indeed frighten the Liberal leadership strategy. OMG… cooperation from the second largest elected party in Canada!
What could be next?
Hugh , I fully recognize how difficult it was for you to take this decision and then put it to paper. Your argument is totally rational and I agree with Hugh Holland whose lucid support is intelligent and gracious. Stay the course Hugh!
We are all entitled to our views and opinions, but never let opinions become the truth. Mr. O’Toole may be a very nice individual but to be a leader requires many more qualities such as being charismatic and surrounding yourself with good people. He failed to deliver. In business he would have been fired.
The convoy represents the pent up frustration of many people fed up with their disrupted lives, lost businesses, families and friends divided by changing rules by our leaders, continued masking, yet we have had 3 doses by in large , and now, starting 4 doses for the folks in long term care , who have not left their rooms in 2 years.Our PM failed to recognize how upset Canadians in general are. Our PM should have not been MIA for so long. The Conservatives would have been fools to think that Mr. O’Toole could lead them in the coming election. Lets’ all remember what our current Liberal leaders and other leaders have done to our economy and to the folks that cannot even be treated in hospitals with issues not covid related, as we vote in the coming election!
A well known military ploy, ‘…no need to attack the enemy; just sow discord in their own camp and they will destroy themselves.’
In reply to Mr. Markle, respectfully sir, there is no good leader on the horizon. What will likely happen is Pierre Poilievre at some point becoming prime minister. He will only continue the hard partisan games and ploys for more power. Proportional representation, if it had been in place last September, would’ve put 21 MP’s from the People’s Party into Parliament. Is that really what we want?
In summary, I believe that Liberal party has learned nothing from the mistake that was Justin Trudeau’s elevation. Yes, it returned them to power, but at what cost? We are going to continue to find out…
Hugh Holland, this is not a strike, these are not anarchists, they’re not looking for ransoms. They’re angry Canadians with a different view. Breaking municipal laws, certainly. Is it an insurrection? No it isn’t. There’s always a few extremists and crazies in any large protest… witness numerous G20 protests, the summer of BLM riots in America, and of course the Jan 7 US capitol protest that turned tragic. Yes, the blockades need to stop and the sooner the better, before something really tragic happens.
What Justin Trudeau could do now, is say something along these lines to the protesters: He made a mistake framing them as a fringe group of radicals, acknowledging it was wrong to do so. Then say the government heard the message and was already actively looking at ways to responsibly lower or remove COVID mandates and restrictions, and that changes are coming soon, just like many provincial governments and other countries are now doing. Time to end the protests and go back to work. You’re significantly disrupting the lives of many and hurting your own cause.
He doesn’t have to speak to them in person either, doing it in parliament is best. It would have been better some time ago, but the sooner the better. He would look much more like a real leader.
Why is this so hard, he seems to be very good at apologizing or admitting to past mistakes.
I to am dismaid by how Mr O’Toole was removed as the leader of the conservative party. I have no use for the social wing of the party. What disturbed me more was the exchange during question period between Ms Bergen and Ms Freeland (the deputy PM) when Ms Bergen was acknowledged as the new leader of the opposition. After watching Ms Freeland’s evasive answers to the questions from CB I am losing hope for either party.
JT correct in standing firm on vaccine mandates. He will win points by standing by the science, as best as possible.
Hugh, this is not a strike, these are not anarchists, they’re not looking for ransoms. They’re angry Canadians with a different view. Breaking some municipal laws, certainly. Is it an insurrection? No it isn’t. There’s always some extremists and nut-jobs in any large protest… witness numerous G20 protests, the summer of BLM riots in America, and of course the Jan 7 US capitol protest that turned tragic. Yes, the blockades need to stop and the sooner the better, before something really tragic happens.
What Justin Trudeau could do now, is say something along these lines to the protesters: He made a mistake framing them as a fringe group of radicals, acknowledging it was wrong to do so. Then say the government heard the message and was already actively looking at ways to responsibly lower or remove COVID mandates and restrictions, and that changes are coming soon, just like many provincial governments and other countries are now doing. Time to end the protests and go back to work. You’re significantly disrupting the lives of many and hurting your own cause.
He doesn’t have to speak to them in person either, doing it in parliament is best. It would have been better some time ago, but the sooner the better. He would look much more like a real leader.
Why is this so hard, he seems to be very good at apologizing or admitting to past mistakes.
Call it as you see it Greg Reuvekamp!! I’m of the same general opinion, though maybe a little less harshly stated.
Prevaricator rather than liar.
Ostrich like; meaning no offence to the ostrich. Just, butt in the air and brain in a hole; contemplating a different reality.
Constantly on about our being a nation of laws, but not bringing any of them to bear to protect our capital city from a mob that cares not a whit about those laws. I remember a certain politician who said “Just watch me”. We need a bit of that now.
But over the years, our country has been divided by an adherence to party politics. That practice robs our law makers of degree or option. It was started by previous members of both parties and Trudeau is just continuing the process.
I liked the recent David Caswell comment on Speak up Huntsville.
Everything is not just black or white. We all hold varied opinions; we can be a little or a lot of… something. It is the colour and shades of our opinions that make us individuals.
I believe we need a proportional form of government, involving more ideas, conception and the representation of a greater segment of the people.
I hope we don’t really deserve what we are getting. There must be a leader out there somewhere!!
The last time that I can remember that Canada was truly united together was the final Tragically Hip concert, celebrating Gord Downie before he sadly passed away. I was among the several hundred people or more? that watched the concert at River Mill Park. Justin Trudeau was of course conveniently present near the stage, and was mentioned by Downie at one point during the show. Downie stated that we had the right man in place to solve our nation’s problems, especially reconciliation with First Nations. What a sad misjudgement by Gord. Trudeau has instead proven to be the exact opposite: a coward, a liar and a great divider of our people. Nothing will be fixed until he has left the Prime Minister’s office
Dave Wilkin, obviously you have never had to deal with an illegal strike. Who would Trudeau sit down with? Who can speak for the mob? The basic rule is you do not pay ransomes or negotiate with anarchists because that only invites more of the same.
Interim leader Candice Bergen performed quite well today, as good as Erin at his best. Along with several other MP’s who also spoke, they all did a good job of calling out the Liberal’s on the issues behind the protests. Never got clear answers, including as to why the mandates continue, other than the usual ‘we follow the science and medical experts’ line. Bergen pointed to Dr. Tam’s recent statements that clearly contradicted that, when she said that it’s important for governments to recognize that the virus isn’t going to disappear. The reason is obvious, they don’t want to acknowledge that the federal COVID mandates should change or be dropped, as the timing looks bad for them. Trudeau will be kept hidden until the protests end. Great leadership from our ‘divider-in-chief’.
Hugh, I am sure that was a very difficult decision for you to make. I admire your honesty and courage for making it.
I believe that a lot of anger could have been avoided if the PM had indicated that he would be willing to sit with a delegation from the convoy in an attempt to resolve the issue rather than take the authoritarian position which has prevailed. As the old saying goes, you attract more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.
What information are you curious about, Megan Mace?
I was saddened by this development. We would all benefit from a Conservative Party that actually tries to achieve some overarching progressive policies that address the challenges we will all face. A caucus revolt does not bode well for any future leader. I withdrew my support in exhaustion a few years ago. More and more they seem to want to mirror their counter parts in America. Well written commentary.
Hello Hugh,
Were you in Ottawa? Just curious where this information re: the convoy is coming from?
I am more optimistic. Regarding the future of the conservative party, Arin O’Toole is a good and honest man, however he struggled to unite the party around a compelling vision that resonates with Canadians and materially contrasts with what the Trudeau Liberals offer and have actually delivered (which is slim pickings). The next leader of the conservatives will have a laser focus on where the Liberals are most vulnerable – the economy and high/rising costs and dividing the country. Trudeau has left Canada vulnerable on both heading into some difficult years ahead. Conservatives can unite around that.
On the protests, I think the triggering issue, border mandates, no longer makes sense & Canadians can see that. It is likely to be quietly removed soon. As more restrictions are eased by the provinces, the frustrations and anger that feeds protests will diminish. Trudeau, who initially fanned the flames of anger by labeling protesters as fringe radicals, refusing to meet with them, will stay quiet (Liberal strategists can see Trudeau’s mistake).
It’s pretty clear most people have had enough of the many restrictions, and smart political strategists know this. We’re likely to see most gone by early March. Future lockdowns, broad shutdowns or heavy restrictions are unlikely to return. This has little to do with what the Liberals have previously done, it’s all about about the reality of where we are in this pandemic and where the people are at. We are entering the endemic phase, learning how to live with COVID, not turning everything upside-down trying to eliminate it (which clearly didn’t work). Dr. Tam recently stated as much.
Well said Hugh. I will not be renewing My membership .Once again Conservatives have handed an electoral victory to Trudeau Jr much like Ontario Conservatives kept the Liberals in power under Dalton and Kathleen.