Last week I wrote an opinion piece about Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin with a sprinkling here and there of Tucker Carlson. I was intrigued by one particular comment on that article. Indeed, it made me think. It went like this:
“I am glad you can see the Republican far right for what it is, that being an authoritarian regime. But Hugh, look in your own back yard. Do you see the similarities in the current Ontario Premier and the current Federal Opposition Leader? If you don’t see these men as similar, then you too are blinded by partisan politics.”
First of all, let me say, yet again, that I have never been afraid to acknowledge that my political thinking leans toward the right, but not the far right and I have never been shy about speaking up when I believe a decision from any political party is wrong and that includes whomever I might otherwise support. Sometimes it is hard, but I do resist drinking the Kool-Aid.
But my article last week was more about evil than it was about politics. I believe both Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump are evil men. So no, I do not see similarities between these two individuals and the Premier of Ontario or the Leader of the Federal Opposition, or for that matter, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Not even close.
We may have strong disagreements with some or all of these people, but they are not evil. They are not Despots. Revenge is not their top priority. They have not been convicted of fraud or sexual assault. They do not covet territory that is not theirs and they do not condone murder or anarchy to get what they want.
Although public opinion in Canada is inevitably affected by what is happening in the United States, it is simply wrong to believe that any of our politicians here resemble the likes of either Vladimir Putin or Donald Trump. That said, there can be no doubt that there is political polarization in Canada to a greater extent than I can ever remember in my lifetime.
A story in the Toronto Star this weekend highlights a poll commissioned by them and carried out by Abacus Data. The CEO of Abacus, David Coletto said, “With half of Canadians expressing little or no trust in politicians, public servants and even journalists, we are witnessing a polarization that could and likely is, eroding the foundations of informed citizenship and accountable governance.”
He went on to say, “This polarization is not just a matter of differing opinions: it reflects a deeper disconnect that, if unaddressed, could challenge the very principles that underpin our democratic processes … Canada is not immune to the forces impacting democracy around the world.”
In Canada, this polarization is seen much more at the federal level than it is at the provincial level. It is caused in part because people are just tired and fed up following the years of disruption caused by the COVID pandemic. Their trust in government has been eroded and they no longer know who is telling the truth and who isn’t. Sadly, it is reaching the point where they don’t care.
As for journalism, Susan Delacourt in her Toronto Star article notes that according to the Abacus poll, “only 37 per cent of Conservatives had trust in journalists and a scant 29 per cent in news organizations. A full 67 per cent of Liberals, by contrast, said they trusted journalists and 57 per cent said they trusted news organizations.”
Delecourt goes on to say, “Those of us who work in the media business are often heckled as too friendly to Liberals. Certainly, according to this poll, Liberals are more friendly to us.” There she nails it. I wonder if she sees the correlation here. To me, it is a stark admission that most of the mainstream media lean to the left.
It is no secret that I believe it is time for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to go. Indeed, a large majority of Canadians feel the same way. I do not believe that simply because he is a Liberal and I am not, but rather, because he clearly no longer has the confidence of most Canadians.
One similarity between our political situation and the situation in the United States is that many people will vote in the States for Trump only because they cannot abide Biden. Here, if they have the opportunity, many people will vote for Pierre Poilievre only because they can’t stomach Justin Trudeau.
Sadly, it is that kind of thinking, fairly or unfairly, that leads to polarization. And what does polarization accomplish? It has less to do with sound governing principles than it does with a profound dislike for particular individuals. That to me is a problem.
There is a difference between polarization and partisan politics. Partisan politics provides a platform for different policy positions to be weighed, debated, and voted on either in Parliament or in an election. Polarization is more like ‘my way or the highway’ politics. No debate, no consensus, you are either with me or you are the enemy. It implies a rigidity of purpose and belief from which there is no middle ground and no escape and yes, no room for dissenters.
I do not believe that we have evil men or women in leadership positions in Canada. I do think, however, that Abacus CEO David Colette has a point when he says that we are witnessing in Canada a polarization that could erode the foundations of our democracy.
To suggest, as some people will, that only one political party is responsible for this evades reality. We all have a responsibility to avoid and deter crippling polarization before we hit a point of no return.
Hugh Mackenzie
Publisher
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 of Muskoka and as chief of staff to former premier of Ontario, Frank Miller.
Hugh has also 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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Sue Hicks says
Well said! I tend to lean towards the left but have voted for all 3 federal and provincial parties at times in my life. Blaming one leader or party for current issues is unfair and uninformed. The Covid pandemic was uncharted waters and I believe the federal and provincial governments both acted in what they felt was the best interest of Canadians at the time and with the limited and changing information they had.
Paul Kuebler says
Thank you Mr. Mackenzie for replying to my comment to your piece on Trump and Putin.
I would ask your readers to have patience as I want to address your many points, which in part I agree with. This has been an enlightening discussion.
I am glad to hear you “resist drinking the Kool-Aid”, we ALL need to ensure we avoid that practice.
While I agree Trump and Putin are outright evil, we have to consider that there are varying degrees of “evil”. There is a saying “… power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” by Lord Acton. While Premier Ford and Prime Minister Trudeau are not outright evil, I would challenge that there IS some level of knowingly wrong doing, or if you will… evil, in these gentlemen.
In the majority of elections, our electoral system gives 100% of the power to a single party. That is close to absolute power. We have watched for the past 6 years the Provincial Conservatives reverse YEARS of policy work, without regard of the effort and money spent on those policies. Billions of taxpayer dollars wasted, plus the legal defence of some of those reversals, again costing unknown dollars. Sure sounds like absolute power. So… corrupt? Further, there is an ongoing RCMP investigation into the involvement Premier Ford had in the Green Belt sale to “friendly” developers. Possibility of knowingly wrong doing?
Looking to our Federal leader, Mr. Trudeau has on several occasions appeared to be less than honest, which I believe, his involvement in these occasions did not serve the public and could be considered evil to a level.
For these reasons, I DO see some level of evil in these individuals and this acceptance in our society of the increasing level of wrong doing is concerning. In different times, these men would not be Leaders.
I absolutely agree with you, Canada is moving to polarized politics, and as citizens we have a duty to recognize this and to the best of our abilities, reverse this trend. I hope you are aware of the current attack by the far right on our local Huntsville Council?
I do see polarization beyond the Federal level, such as Alberta, where clearly polarization is happening. We across Parry Sound-Muskoka had an opportunity to show, the rest of Canada, we want change in this trend, where 350 people signed a petition (collected in a combined 5 hours over 5 days) requesting M.P. Scott Aitchison vote in favour of motion M-86 to form a Citizens Assembly on Electoral Reform. The “opportunity” was lost when M.P. Aitchison voted against the motion, even though he is on record of being in favour of reducing polarization and the uncooperative nature of debate at Parliament Hill. Both benefits of some form of proportional representation.
I agree, that our elections are all about the man/woman you want thrown out of office and not about the policies political parties are offering. Again, some level of proportional representation would offer voters more choices, increase representation resulting in increased consensus in governance.
Regarding the media, I agree media leans to the left, but who do the “Left” represent in general? Apart of Mr. Trudeau’s Liberals (who also voted against M-86, see above) I see the Left as representing the “People”. I see the Right as a threat to the People. Clearly the Conservative (and Liberal) governments have been eroding support of the People, with cuts/freezing to Healthcare, Education and Social Assistance. Clearly, I DO NOT see the Liberals as being “Left” whatsoever. They are left like.. “a Wolf in Sheep’s clothing”.
I believe we are definitely on the road toward polarization in both federal and provincial politics. We all need to keep listening and talking to each other, rather than blaming and criticizing each other, the latter which is the atmosphere in Canada’s Parliament. But how do the people get the politicians to listen??
For the most part, I believe you and I are on the same page and I look forward to further discussion.
Paul Kuebler
Hugh Holland says
We need party leaders to tell us what they are for, not just what they are against. Trust is built on honesty and openness. We can be proud of what our country and our PM stands for and how that is expressed on the world stage.
Paul Kuebler says
Unfortunately Mr. Mackenzie, Prime Minister Trudeau has promised change, such as “Last First Past the Post Election” and never followed through. Even voted against M-86, which was a chance to put the decision into the hands of Canadians. Hard to trust such politicians to EVER do what they say.
It’s no wonder people are disengaged with politics, in fact angry with it. So, up comes the far right with all the answers…
Jane White says
What a pleasure to read some well thought out comments and actual debate and discussion on a political topic. Far too often we only hear why one person thinks his opinion is right and everyone else is wrong.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Mr. Mackenzie; I suggest that some of the roots of polarization were introduced with the GOP populism campaigning, adopted in full force in Canada by the Conservatives (for example, with Stephen Harper. I can quote, if needed the reference to Harper, the Ford brothers, and others going to the states to see how the GOP ran their campaigns).
In 2016, from the pulpit of the Anglican church in Great Britain, the priests were calling for a toning down of the rhetoric in politics Then – they could see what was happening. And, this was before faced with a pandemic.
Notably – hating/despising “the elites” was front and center in Ontario. I surmised that this was to mean, the wealthier, the more educated, or those holding power. Gone was the notion of public service to Canadians and others.
As far as media goes, I have tried to read differing opinions from my own. Sometimes I am put off by the ridiculous title/by-line introduction and give up on the spot. It is best to be informed by differing viewpoints. Encourage all citizens to read opposing opinions. We should not have to check facts; some of the US news media have abandoned that responsibility and infomercials result, passing as news.
Recently, I read an advert online, calling PP our new saviour (hyperbole no doubt). Who we follow in our personal religious/spiritual lives should not be compared to who we vote for. Looking for any kind of saviour in any politician or any political party is a false teaching, a shaky narrative. Our leaders are only human beings, suggesting they are gods or god-like is foolish. As Hugh Holland has suggested – let us know what a party’s platform and policy are Before the election.
Allen Markle says
The need and ability to believe the people we have elected to represent us is what makes/made the democratic process work. At least, that was somewhat so in the past. Today, we are in a period of ‘elected dictatorship’. We elect someone to speak for us, but once elected and within the lucrative embrace of the party and government they become deaf and dumb. The voter becomes irrelevant. For the next appointed number of years, they will toe the party line, devoid of an opinion or voice of their own. Smiling and doling out tidbits as the party prescribes. Appearing at photo-ops. Speaking in platitudes.
But people still think and form opinions. The frustration is loosed when there seems to be nowhere to go to find solutions to apparent issues. When there is no voice for the people. Just as when an elected member can say comforting things when facing constituents, but become an unthinking bobblehead in the confines of ‘The House’.
Ours is supposed to be a Democracy. A government form forged in events such as the signing of the Magna Carta; of revolutions in America and France American; of the writing of the Napoleonic Code. Grand events along the road to Democracy. Glories left to fray and crumble to what we have today. No! I am not a voice for insurrection. Just someone who wonders where what history bequeathed us, that democracy went.
However, there is an election coming. An event which will bring these previously elected or ‘wannabe’ elected to our doors and streets and halls. Caps in hand. All humble and contrite. “Please elect me. To go to Ottawa or Toronto or wherever. To be your voice in government.” And after the celebrating is over?? We voters fear we will be once again become irrelevant.
After the election there is again no middle ground. Then, party platforms are to be defended. Democracy is smothered by it. Polarization wasn’t the people’s intent. It’s just what we get.
Is it any wonder people are wearied of these politicians. Even the ones who grew up among us!
Bob Slater says
WOW! Just more political right bashing! Some folks just cannot stand it that a lot of people disagree with current administrations’ in Canada and USA!! I find it extremely funny how none of you will deal with the issues/disasters the left has caused with their current programs and administrations in both countries! Just sweep it under the carpet and never discuss it! Soon in Canada .. Our boy .. JT will have total control of ALL media. JT/NDP will determine ALL dialogue and ideology allowed! Is this not evil ? Is that what ALL of you want? Very dangerous! To put Trump and Putin on the same wave length of being evil! Are you kidding and serious? It is very dangerous to put ALL trump supporters in that bucket! (75 million folks!) IMO ..You all will be whistling a different tune when Putin comes for the Artic and Canada needs USA help! Sometimes reality, impacts and consequences can NOT be ignored .. but .. if you control media .. it is just HAPPY DAYS!
Anna-Lise Kear says
Mr. Mackenzie; is there anything like Ford’s wanting to appoint like-minded judges, a la American style, and then doubling down on the notion, to welcome perceptions of partisanship and discourage trust in the judicial system in Canada?
He certainly learned his lessons well from the GOP in the US, as he brings further divisions to Canada for the sake of winning an election. He is simple, but has some support from the back-room boys to clothe himself as the populist candidate. God save us.
He lost his legal battle to have “Carbon Tax” stickers manditory on the pumps at gas stations.
He lost his legal battle for imposing the bill to freeze wages in the public sector.
One more tell, in my opinion, is his failure to attend and give evidence at the Emergency Measures Act hearings (a cowardly way to lead).
It might be an idea to send him your article. Hope Mr. Smith reads.
Jonathan Wiebe says
Just when I thought we were having a thoughtful discussion, someone plows their way in and uses the word “ALL” quite often to make sweeping generalizations. Problematic, no?
Dave Wilkin says
Left-leaning politicians in Canada would be wise to not disparage Donald Trump or Republicans. Given President Biden’s poor approval rating, his obvious decline and age, a 2nd Trump administration is looking more likely. This would mean big shifts in US policy, impacting trade, defense, foreign policy, immigration, climate/energy and more. The implications for Canada would be significant.
It’s not just America shifting right either. It’s occurring in many countries globally, notably in the EU and SE Asia. It’s now happening here as well.
So what’s behind this? Many things, including divisive politics, but so is the failure of left-leaning government policies to deliver meaningful results for a growing number of citizens.
Changes ahead, so better to be prepared..
Allen Markle says
Dave Wilkin: I do see the specter of right wing totalitarianism rising. No benevolent dictatorships there. The threat from south of the border is quite real I’m afraid.
But from your comment, do I conclude you are in favor?