OTTAWA – Conservative MP and failed leadership contender Maxime Bernier has shown his true colours by opposing unique Canadian diversity in a veiled attempt to hide his anti-immigrant and most likely racist tendencies.
Bernier rightly deserved criticism from Canadians and from within his own Conservative caucus over a series of tweets accusing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of fostering a “cult of diversity” that he believes will destroy the country.
In a six-tweet thread posted Sunday evening, the Quebec MP says that more diversity will “divide us into little tribes” and bring “distrust, social conflict, and potentially violence.”
He described this as “cultural balkanization.” Balkanization refers to the geopolitical splitting apart of a state into smaller regions with tension between them.
Bernier—who came second to Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer in the party’s 2017 leadership race— said that while he thinks diversity should be celebrated and that Canada has taken steps to address past injustices, he questions promoting more diversity.
Since his defeat, Scheer has removed him from the caucus’ shadow cabinet, and seated him among the backbenches, citing his ongoing promotion of his controversial positions.
Specifically in the thread, Bernier takes issue with Trudeau’s message that “diversity is our strength,” and thinks Canadian cultural traditions should be emphasized, though he does not provide an example of such tradition.
“Having people live among us who reject basic Western values such as freedom, equality, tolerance and openness doesn’t make us strong. People who refuse to integrate into our society and want to live apart in their ghetto don’t make our society strong,” Bernier said.
He argues that “Trudeau’s extreme multiculturalism and cult of diversity” will divide Canadians into “political clienteles” that can be bought with taxpayer money and special privileges.
Conservative leader Scheer’s spokesperson Brock Harrison didn’t address the comments directly, but attempted to distance the party’s position from Bernier’s views.
“Conservatives will continue to recognize and celebrate the contributions made to Canada from people from diverse backgrounds that have enriched our history and our society,” Harrison told CTV News.
“Canada has been built by people from all over the world coming here to enjoy the freedom, prosperity and equality that our country offers,” Harrison said.
Speaking at a community event in P.E.I., Trudeau appeared to weigh in, and restated his stance that diversity is Canada’s strength.
“If there’s something I know, whenever I look out over a crowd anywhere in Canada, it’s that the different ages, the different faces, the different perspectives, the different backgrounds, those are incredible sources of strength and resilience for our community,” he said.
“These are the things that make us strong, our differences are always a source of strength in Canada.”
Bernier’s fellow failed leadership candidate and Conservative MP Deepak Obhrai shared his thoughts online Monday, saying that diversity has benefitted Canada and “must be celebrated.”
He chided Bernier, saying “focusing on a few individuals/groups who may reject our values” is not representative.
“As a Conservative MP of diverse background our party is about the big blue tent that I advocated during the leadership race. The Conservative movement is very attractive to all Canadians. That’s where our focus should be,” he said.
