This manipulation of historical facts is reminiscent of tactics employed by far-right politicians in other Western nations, the goal of which is to erase legitimate grievances and normalize hate, racism and bigotry.
By Fareed Khan
Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre sat down for an interview with far-right, extremist personality Jordan Peterson — a figure notorious for his racist, transphobic and misogynist views on social and cultural issues. During the conversation, Poilievre supported a statement made by Peterson, one that sent shockwaves through the political landscape. Peterson claimed that that racism in Canada is a recent phenomenon, and Poilievre added to the outrageous claim that racism was the fault of “socialists”, “progressives”, and “wokeism”. These claims are not merely misguided, they reveal a deeper, more unsettling reality about Poilievre's political ethos — the normalization of racism and revisionist history that serves his partisan interests as he lusts for power.
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Historically, Canada is not a pristine bastion of racial harmony, as Poilievre would like to suggest. The country has grappled with a legacy of systemic oppression, racism and white supremacy, as evidenced by the genocide of Indigenous peoples, the Chinese “head tax”, a history of institutional antisemitism prior to World War II, the internment of Japanese Canadians during the war, systemic anti-Black racism, and more recently Islamophobia in the form of government policies targeting Muslims, as well as the decades of institutional and systemic racism against Palestinians. Each of these instances demonstrates that racism and bigotry are deeply woven into the fabric of this nation, contradicting Poilievre's assertion that it is a modern invention of the left and the “woke”. Such a blatant dismissal of history is not just alarming it is dangerous, and it fuels the delusions of racist and white supremacist elements in society.
By framing racism as a recent phenomenon, Poilievre effectively denies the lived experiences of countless Canadians who have faced racial injustice and continue to do so today. Furthermore, it undermines critical conversations about the systemic and structural inequalities that racialized communities experience. His rhetoric serves to advance a narrative that minimizes the past and misleads the public about the ongoing struggles for racial justice that Black people, Indigenous people, and persons of colour are dealing with today.
This manipulation of historical facts is reminiscent of tactics employed by far-right politicians in other Western nations, the goal of which is to erase legitimate grievances and normalize hate, racism and bigotry. By declaring that racism is a recent import Poilievre emboldens extremist elements in society, creating a bullseye on the backs of BIPOC communities which are already vulnerable to discrimination. It is an extremely cynical ploy demonstrating that Poilievre cares little for maintaining social harmony in Canada’s pluralistic society.
Rachel Gilmore, a journalist who analyzed the interview, points out that Poilievre’s comments resonate deeply with a broader trend of right-wing populism that thrives on division and fear. The Conservative leader’s rhetoric is not simply an isolated moment but rather part of a systematic approach to galvanizing support from a voter base that finds solace in grievances against “woke” ideologies. Such an agenda has the potential to foster an environment where social justice advocates are labeled as enemies of the state for challenging hate and bigotry in this country.
The implications of Poilievre's ideological leanings extend beyond mere dialogue. They signal his support for a political culture increasingly hostile to conversations surrounding combatting hate and racism, and supporting diversity and equity. Under his leadership, the Conservative Party appears poised to leverage a narrative that condemns advocates of social justice while promoting the idea that concerns about racism are exaggerated or unfounded. This creates an atmosphere where discrimination can fester untreated, further marginalizing communities that have faced systemic barriers for decades, barriers which continue to exist today and will be augmented under a Poilievre government.
The rise of this type of political rhetoric in Canada is indicative of a troubling trend in democracies across the globe — a calculated attempt to rewrite history to fit a politically expedient narrative. Just as we have seen in the United States, where figures like Donald Trump have dismissed and downplayed America’s long history of racism, Poilievre's words signal an unsettling alignment with those ideologies. We must not forget that Poilievre himself has benefitted from white privilege and has built a career as a professional politician in a country founded on racism, white supremacy, genocide and colonialism. In the process of being a politician and becoming leader of the Conservatives he has put himself in a position where he is out of touch with the day to day realities faced by his fellow Canadians, many of whom live in the shadow of Canada’s racist history, and will never live the privileged life that he does.
Failing to confront or denying the ugly truths of our past allows attacks on racial justice movements to flourish. This dangerous rhetoric nurtures an environment where hate can thrive unchecked, posing a grave threat to social cohesion. As we’ve seen in other countries, the results can be catastrophic — fostering division, hostility, and an erosion of the rights of marginalized communities.
As citizens, it is crucial that we hold our political leaders accountable for their words and actions. Rather than remaining passive observers, we must actively engage in conversations about racism, social justice, and historical accountability. Organizations like Canadians United Against Hate and others have rightly called upon the public to reject Poilievre’s dangerous ideas and demand transparency and accountability from a leader who seeks the highest office in the land.
The moral imperative to confront and dismantle these harmful narratives has never been clearer. Like other nations, Canada is not immune to the rising tide of far-right politics, and if Poilievre is to become our next prime minister, his denial of the country's history of racism risks not only the integrity of Canadian democracy but also the safety and well-being of minority and marginalized communities.
In combatting this dangerous rhetoric, we must recommit ourselves to building a society founded on diversity, acceptance, equality, and racial justice. The vast majority of Canadians embrace pluralistic values that promote equity and respect for all. Allowing divisive political rhetoric to dominate our discourse is unacceptable. We must proactively counter these ideologies by lifting up the voices of those marginalized by racism and advocating for systemic change.
It is imperative that we stand together against the normalization of dangerous narratives like Poilievre's. We must acknowledge and engage with our history, recognizing the injustices that have shaped our society, and continue to affect it today. In doing so, we can foster a Canada that is not only aware of its past but is also committed to creating a more just and equitable future for all its citizens.
Ultimately, it is the responsibility of every Canadian to challenge the dismissals of racism and to fight against those who push ideologies that seek to undermine our values. The stakes are too high to remain silent in the face of such dangerous rhetoric. We must act, ensuring that hate remains on the fringes, while we collectively strive for a more inclusive and just society. This is not merely a political responsibility; it is a moral obligation we owe to ourselves and to future generations.
© 2025 The View From Here. © 2025 Fareed Khan. All Rights Reserved.
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