By Chris Beach

Opinion

Northern View – Polarization & Hypocrisy Part 1: The Extreme Right

Feb 8, 2023 | 2:04 PM

In recent years it’s becoming very clear how some Canadians have become increasingly polarized on the political Left and Right. This week I’ll focus on the extreme Right.

A few days ago on the Vancouver sky train a young gay couple was verbally attacked and intimidated by another man who disapproved of their relationship.I think this individual now represents a minority viewpoint in Canada as most citizens are becoming more accepting and supportive of gay relationships. Those citizens who have an issue with the gay and transgender community are, more often than not it seems, on the extreme right side of the spectrum.

And this, in my opinion, is hypocritical, because it’s often some of the very same people who say we need more freedom in Canada – but in a truly free society shouldn’t citizens have the right to be who they are or lead the lifestyle they choose? Of course, they should. Another glaring example of the extreme Right appeared during the Covid pandemic. While Canadians have a right to protest against the federal government and choose, for example, to not get a covid vaccine – when part of the same community showed up at clinics to protest other Canadians’ right to get a vaccine – that was wrong and again very hypocritical. I think the litmus test should be that as long as you’re not harming another person’s freedom, you should be allowed to do what you want. If you are infringing on another person’s freedoms, then you need to accept some limits on your own.

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For example, anti-vaxxers should have accepted the fact they the needed to get takeout rather than dine in at restaurants during the pandemic, because that clearly would have been increasing the risk of other Canadians getting sick and limiting their freedoms.

Religion is yet another example. Most Canadians are very supportive of universal religious freedom, but they don’t want someone else telling them what religious beliefs or values they should follow.Gay marriage and abortion rights are a perfect example. Most Canadians want the right to choose for themselves and not be told who they can marry or if they can get an abortion. Interestingly enough, this is the exact problem that the Conservative Party faces today: the extreme Right faction in the party is arguably keeping it from getting more mainstream support in the larger urban areas, which is necessary if it ever wants to form government again in Ottawa.

Next week I’ll talk about the extreme Left.

Editors note: The views expressed in this column do not necessarily represent the views of Pattison Media.