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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Mr. Mackenzie: Your opinions are personal and do not merit publication regardless of ownership of the Doppler. President Trump is not evil. There is nothing evil about him.
Have you ever truly researched him or did you allow yourself to be brainwashed by the MSM. I can see that uniformed, gullible people would believe all the left propaganda about Trump but what is your excuse?
By calling President Trump evil, you are helping to polarize your readers.
One can disagree with his policies but calling him evil due to insane, politically motivated accusations is not only not fair, it’s dead wrong. He has donated tons of money to legitimate charities for decades. His policies when he was in charge, helped every American and the world was a safer and better place. Of course he was no saint, name me someone who is.
Follow your own suggestions to keep an open mind and be as objective as one can be given the overwhelming Left wing bias in the world’s MSM especially in our Liberal dominated Canada.