Reject the Rise of Toxic Politics in Canada

Canada has long prided itself on a political culture rooted in respect, tolerance, and civility. Yet, today, we are witnessing a disturbing shift in our political discourse, mirroring the toxic polarization we see south of the border. The influence of the United States on Canadian politics has always been a double-edged sword. While we benefit from our proximity in many ways, we are also susceptible to importing the worst aspects of American political culture, namely, the degradation of civility and the rise of anger-fueled, blame-game politics.

Take, for example, the familiar controversy surrounding a Conservative MP’s comparison of the Liberal government to a “dictatorship” during a heated parliamentary debate. Such rhetoric cheapens the gravity of real dictatorships and poisons our political discourse. This type of extremist language, once unthinkable in Canadian politics, is now increasingly commonplace, echoing the hyper-partisan vitriol seen in the U.S. with the rise of the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement.

This shift is not happening in isolation. The ultra-right-wing rhetoric of the MAGA movement in the U.S. has begun to seep into Canadian conservative circles. What was once a political culture focused on dialogue and compromise has become increasingly dominated by divisive tactics. Conservatives have adopted harsh, accusatory tones, labeling liberals and leftists as “socialists” or “communists,” while liberals and leftists dismiss conservatives as intolerant or regressive. This polarization tears at the fabric of our society, turning neighbors into adversaries and politics into a zero-sum game.

What is most concerning is the role of right-wing social media pundits in spreading misinformation and stoking these divisions. The result is a political climate dominated by anger and suspicion, rather than mutual respect and understanding.

As Canadians, we must reject this degradation of civility. Our democracy thrives on constructive debate and seeing political opponents as fellow citizens, not enemies. We must demand better from our leaders and ourselves. Only by restoring civility to our politics can we ensure that Canada remains a beacon of democracy and decency in an increasingly divided world.