Hanes: Beware the intoxicating thrall of populism – Montreal Gazette

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After two years of a demoralizing global pandemic: Canadians are highly polarized, deeply divided and just itching to lash out.

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We all have them in our social networks: the old high school classmate who was out cheering on the Freedom Convoy as it passed Friday; the childhood friend who posted pictures of herself crying tears of joy from a highway overpass decked out in Canadian flags; the cousins wife who posted a picture of a transport truck sporting profanities aimed at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

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The protest may have ridden a wave of support on its cross-country trek to Ottawa to oppose vaccine mandates in particular and pandemic restrictions in general. But it may have difficulty maintaining its appeal after a weekend during which the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was desecrated, staff at a local homeless shelter harassed, the memorial statue of Terry Fox dressed up and Ottawa police, city workers and small business owners intimidated by a maskless mob flouting public health rules in the name of freedom.

Some early adopters may be feeling sheepish now, having spoken out in favour of movement where far-right groups felt comfortable displaying Confederate flags, Nazi swastikas and QAnon logos. But others are digging in their heels claiming fake news or that any malfeasance was committed by instigators looking to undermine their cause.

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The group behind the blockade of big rigs that has downtown Ottawa paralyzedmay call itself Canadian Unity, but it is having the opposite effect on the public at large.

Social media is being weaponized . Neighbours are turning against each other in virtual community forums where they usually share tips on contractors and seek help finding their lost pets. And many people find themselves torn over whether to unfollow friends and family who have shown their true colours.

All of this, however, is a barometer indicating the state of the Canadian polity 23 months into a demoralizing global pandemic: it is highly polarized, deeply divided and just itching to lash out.

The temptation is strong to turn away, to block our ears to a toxic discourse especially among the vast majority of Canadians who are vaccinated and watching from a distance (with apologies to Ottawa residents who are caught in the middle of this standoff). But we do so at our own peril.

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Political leaders must not be too dismissive of this outpouring of outrage and anger outright.

Extremist elements may be magnetically attracted to this cause and its organizers may have far-right leanings. But most Canadians who waved flags on viaducts are not a fringe minority as Trudeau called the demonstrators Monday in an outdoor remote press conference shortly after he announced he had tested positive for COVID-19. There must be a recognition that this event was fuelled by many ordinary Canadians fed up with the fallout from the pandemic and seeking an outlet for their frustrations.

The thrall of populism is as strong and intoxicating as the diesel fumes wafting in the air around Parliament Hill these days. And Canadians are not immune.

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The fact is, a growing segment of the increasingly weary population is becoming evermore susceptible to the empty promises of simplistic slogans, the rejection of science, misinformation and distrust of government and institutions. They are being lured down a rabbit hole in incremental steps that could nevertheless have far-reaching consequences for Canadian democracy and society.

Even if Canadians voted in another Liberal minority government only a few short months ago, many did so out of resignation. Trudeau is a target of exasperation and enmity from far beyond the truckers idling their engines to keep warm in Ottawa. He has to be aware of this reality.

So too, should provincial premiers. It may be lost on members of the Freedom Convoy that many of the regulations they oppose were actually introduced by the provinces, but even Franois Legault, who has maintained his popularity despite Quebec having the harshest public health restrictions in the country, should pay heed. With a proposed anti-vax tax that is more of a ploy to placate the vaccinated, Legault risks provoking a similar backlash.

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Trudeau ruled out dialogue with the protest organizers. But without giving in to irresponsible demands, he and other political leaders must open a new conversation with disaffected Canadians at their wits end after almost two years.

In turn, Canadians need to stand on guard for democracy. Weve witnessed up close how quickly ugliness can be unleashed when anger, ignorance and apathy get the better of a dispirited population. We must not take our politics for granted or let it degenerate into incivility and disrespect.

This country needs to find an antidote to populism and fast.

ahanes@postmedia.com

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Hanes: Beware the intoxicating thrall of populism - Montreal Gazette