Anyone interested in Canadian politics has probably noticed the creeping influence of Trumpism in the Conservative Party. (They call themselves "Progressive" Conservatives, but we don't.) It's mostly happening in Alberta, as we've noted before. But it hasn't been a completely smooth ride. Even the late-May provincial elections there saw a surge for the New Democratic Party, which trimmed the right wingers' margin in Alberta's legislature by 15 seats.
Still, the freshly victorious Albertan premier is Trumpy to a T, and so is the current leader of the national party, unfortunately. Pierre Poilievre, Member of Parliament for a conservative riding south of Ottawa, is hell-bent on recreating MAGA in the True North.
It's unclear why he thinks emulating Benedict Donald is going to help him win nationally (the results for the Tories in this past Monday's by-elections were meh), but in the meantime, they're doing their best to turn the House of Commons into the US House of Representatives. Their antics on the floor rival Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lauren Boebert, Paul Gosar, and the rest of the MAGA nutcases on their craziest days. Their mission: Demonize the Liberals, and, especially, Justin Trudeau.
Former Conservative Prime Minister Brian Mulroney has had enough.
Speaking in Nova Scotia this week, Mulroney said, "I have learned over the years that history is unconcerned with the trivia and the trash of rumors and gossip floating around Parliament Hill. History is only concerned with the big ticket items that have shaped the future of Canada." He particularly praised the Trudeau government on the COVID pandemic, "the greatest challenge that any Prime Minister has dealt with in Canada in 156 years."
On NAFTA and free trade, Mulroney said Trudeau won "a significant victory for Canada. Trump was out to sabotage Canada in many important ways, and it took vision and a steady hand." As for Poilievre himself, although Mulroney didn't mention him by name, he dismissed the party's current buffoonery as "nonsense."
Listen, for a center-right guy, that's blistering criticism. (Think Mitt Romney, lol.) Poilievre has had no comment about this yet. But if there are any other former Tory leaders who agree with Mulroney, perhaps they can form a Canadian version of The Lincoln Project. They might need it. We cats PURR.
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