There is reason to oppose Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s policies.
Opposing government policy is everyone’s right based on their own beliefs, values and — quite often — needs.
It can be legitimately argued that Trudeau federal Liberal government policy like carbon pricing does not match the need of Western or rural Canadians where oil production and agriculture would be hardest hit.
And people in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba have the right to go challenge Trudeau and his government on this or any policy they see fit.
There may even be reason to oppose Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on his personal style.
Style should always be less of an issue, but there can be little doubt that Trudeau has made his personal style a political selling point.
If photo ops and selfies are what attract some voters to Trudeau, it seems only reasonable that others should be allowed to dislike him because of his presentation.
Being bothered by the “ahs” and “ums” we heard from Trudeau at his recent town hall in Regina may seem petty criticism. But long-winded and disjoined responses that really don’t answer a question can be a legitimate frustration.
Credit Trudeau for holding such open public forums that exposed him to unfettered criticism from anyone who shows up. This is something that neither former prime minister Stephen Harper dared do nor is something that Trudeau’s current competition is doing.
But that shouldn’t necessarily spare Trudeau from criticism if voters find his answers unsatisfactory or even if they simply don’t like the way those answers were presented.
However, what should be unacceptable is personal, petty nastiest aimed at anyone — whether it be Trudeau or Opposition Conservative leader Andrew Scheer or any public officer holder simply trying to offer something he or she believes would be to the betterment of us all.
The level of nastiness aimed at Trudeau is something none of us should tolerate.
This is not to say that Stephen Harper wasn’t subjected to similar out-of-bounds treatment. Nor is it suggest that Scheer and others don’t face their fair share of abuse.
But it is say that in today’s social media environment and political climate, there are those who don’t bother with civility and think they can get away with whatever into their head.
The problem isn’t just simple manners or productive debate. It is becoming an issue of downright racism that needs to be addressed.
These thoughts cross one’s mind because of Trudeau’s recent town hall where he faced not only a few nasty accusations and unfounded Internet conspiracies but some downright racism that deserved the strong condemnation possible.
One man stated at the town hall suggesting Muslims and Christians can’t mix. It should be condemned by all people and all politicians.
Trudeau should have responded with something other than a polite answer about free speech.
Free speech was being allowed to ask Trudeau tough questions on pipelines, the carbon tax and on why he seems to think male-dominated construction camps are threats in rural settings. That happened at the town hall and people can judge Trudeau’s answers for themselves.
But free speech isn’t spewing the racist and nonsensical conspiracies we sometimes heard at the Regina town hall.
And, frankly, others like Conservative Opposition leader Andrew Scheer need to speak out against. His voice on this issue would be even more effective than Trudeau’s voice.
NO prime minister — no politician — should be subjected to images of themselves being hanged. We have seen these on social media platforms associated with the yellow vest movement, which is maybe why this movement is quickly losing credibility.
One can be tough on politicians. One can be critical.
But there are still lines that should not be crossed.
Murray Mandryk has been covering provincial politics for over 22 years.
