Key Takeaways:
- Conservative leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre made a remark on controversial psychologist Jordan Peterson’s podcast on Tuesday that has some people talking.
Some are drawing notice to a remark made by Conservative leadership contender Pierre Poilievre during an appearance on controversial psychologist Jordan Peterson’s podcast on Tuesday.
In the interview, Poilievre stated, “I believe in utilizing straightforward Anglo-Saxon terms that strike right at the concept that I’m trying to convey.” “As a result, I say stuff like, ‘Yeah, that makes sense.'”
Some have pointed out that far-right figures have used the word to distinguish white people from immigrants and people of color.
“Fareed Khan, the founder of Canadians United Against Hate, told CTV News, “It’s a method to set away those who are white in Canada, who are white Anglo-Saxon, from everyone else and particularly [from] the colored section of society.”
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Last year, far-right US Republicans such as Marjorie Taylor Greene and Matt Gaetz were linked to a leaked paper demanding an “America First” commitment to return to the United States. “The outcry was fast, with even House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy denouncing the “nativist dog whistles.”
Pat King, one of the organizers of the Ottawa trucker protests, also used the term to warn of a scheme to replace white people, which is a popular white supremacist lie used to justify antipathy or violence towards immigrants.
“There is an endgame,” King stated in a webcast. “It’s termed ‘depopulation of the Caucasian race, or the Anglo-Saxon.'” “And that is the purpose, to exterminate the Anglo-Saxon race.”
However, Poilievre’s economic remarks have also been criticized.
Poilievre claimed in an Edmonton Conservative leadership discussion last week that if elected, he would “fire the head of the central bank.”
A Conservative MP has deemed concerning the remark.
“I’m profoundly worried by statements from one of our leadership candidates that that individual would be willing to intervene with the independence of our central bank already at this stage,” Ed Fast said on Wednesday.
Fast resigned as party finance critic hours later to back former Quebec premier Jean Charest for the leadership.
Poilievre’s call for Canadians to embrace volatile cryptocurrencies is another possible stumbling block.
He has a financial stake in digital currencies, having invested $10,000 in a Bitcoin fund that has lost about 40% of its value in the last six months, like many other crypto investments.
The ethics commissioner advised Poilievre that he is free to promote cryptocurrencies, but an ethical watchdog group thinks it could be a conflict of interest.
Duff Conacher of Democracy Watch in Toronto told CTV News, “It’s certainly unethical for MPs to have investments and campaign for changes that will enhance those investments.”
Poilievre also stated on Wednesday in response to reports that one of his supporters wrote a racist email to another leadership campaign, writing, “If you are a racist, I don’t want your vote.”
Source: CTV News
