Is Poilievre Trying to Unite Canadians or Just Sow Division?
At a time when we all need to pull together, Poilievre's Canada First rally comes off as a political stunt promising statues of Sir John A. Macdonald
Poilievre and the Conservatives have wrapped themselves in Canadian flags and pivoted from “Axe the Tax” to “Canada First” in response to increasing favourability for the Liberals and President Trump’s tariff and sovereignty agressions. On February 15, 2025, Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre hosted a "Canada First" rally in Ottawa, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of the Canadian flag. While the event was ostensibly a celebration of national pride, it was marred by divisive rhetoric, historical revisionism, and overt commercialization.
Global News reporter David Akin reported that media were corralled and not allowed to interview attendees.
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Historical Revisionism and Racial Insensitivity
During his speech, Poilievre lauded former Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald, referring to him as a "founding father" and a "visionary leader." Here is what he said “We will end cancel culture and stop the war on our history. Our national museums will celebrate the great achievements of Canada, telling the unvarnished truth that on balance, this is the greatest country on on earth, precisely because of the goodness of those who came before and sacrificed so that we could have what we call Canada today. We will celebrate. We will celebrate rather than tearing down our heroes in history, we will defeat this insidious and divisive cancel culture that sought to destroy our national pride and monuments. They've even tried to destroy the great founder of this country, John A MacDonald. Well, I've got a message for them. If there were no John A McDonald, there would be no Canada. Under a Conservative government, I promise you we will build new statues and name new public structures after the great founding Prime Minister of our country.”
Poilievre’s statement is a blatant attempt to rewrite history and silence necessary conversations about Canada’s past. Let’s be clear: acknowledging the harm done by historical figures is not “cancel culture”—it’s accountability. The so-called “war on history” that he decries is, in reality, a long-overdue effort to tell the full, unvarnished truth about our nation’s past, including the atrocities committed against Indigenous peoples.
Sir John A. Macdonald was not just the “founder” of Canada—he was also the architect of policies that led to the cultural genocide of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples. Under his leadership, residential schools were established, designed explicitly to “kill the Indian in the child.” His policies led to the starvation and displacement of Indigenous communities. This is history, not opinion. To suggest that Canadians should blindly “celebrate” him without reckoning with the suffering he caused is not just dishonest—it’s dangerous.
Poilievre’s promise to build statues and name public structures after Macdonald is nothing more than a performative dog whistle to those who resist reconciliation and equity. True national pride does not come from whitewashing history or elevating figures who built Canada at the expense of Indigenous peoples—it comes from having the courage to face the past honestly, learn from it, and build a more equitable future.
If Poilievre were truly invested in Canada’s greatness, he would be championing Indigenous rights, advocating for truth and reconciliation, and ensuring that national museums tell all of Canada’s history—the triumphs and the failures. Instead, he is choosing to stoke division, pitting historical accountability against national pride, as though the two are mutually exclusive.
The truth is this: Canada is a great country, but not because of blind hero worship. It is great because of the resilience of Indigenous, Black, and immigrant communities who have fought for justice despite leaders like Macdonald. It is great because of those who continue to push for reconciliation, human rights, and the recognition that we can celebrate our achievements without erasing our failures.
So yeah, let’s put up statues of Macdonald. That will be sure to combat Trump’s aggression, solve housing affordability issues and the drug overdose crisis. This is why Poilievre is called Temu Trump.
Canada does not need more statues of Macdonald. It needs leaders who understand that real patriotism is built on truth, not mythmaking.
Misleading Promises on Border Security
Poilievre made emphatic promises to "tighten our borders" and "protect Canadian sovereignty," suggesting that current measures are insufficient. However, these assertions fail to recognize that the Trudeau government has already implemented stringent border security protocols. In response to escalating tensions and trade disputes with the U.S. under President Donald Trump's administration, Canada has fortified its border controls and introduced policies to safeguard national interests. Poilievre's rhetoric is more about stoking fear than presenting new solutions.
Commercialization of Political Platforms
Another concerning aspect of the rally was the promotion of Poilievre's wife's business ventures. Speakers at the event took time to mention her business, blurring the line between political discourse and personal commercial gain. This use of a political platform for private business promotion raises ethical questions and detracts from the rally's purported focus on national issues.
The Weaponization of "Woke"
Throughout his address, Poilievre derisively used the term "woke" to criticize progressive policies and social justice initiatives. He referred to the “woke ideology of the Trudeau-Carney Liberals” and added “The patriotic men and women of [the Canadian] forces will have the tools they need to defend our country and our military. [They} Will be guided by a warrior culture and not a woke culture.” This pejorative usage undermines efforts to address systemic inequalities and fosters a culture of intolerance. Labeling advocates for equity and inclusion as "woke" serves to delegitimize their concerns and stifles meaningful dialogue on important societal issues.
A Missed Opportunity for Unity
On a day when Canadians came together to celebrate the unifying symbol of the maple leaf, Poilievre's rally was more focused on sowing division than fostering solidarity. In the face of external challenges, particularly from the U.S. administration's isolationist policies and trade aggressions, it is imperative for Canadian leaders to promote cohesion and resilience. Unfortunately, the "Canada First" rally appeared to prioritize partisan interests over the collective well-being of the nation with Poilievre repeating what the majority of the nation’s leaders have been saying in response to Trump’s threats and making it out as if it is his new “plan” for Canada First.
As Canada reflects on 60 years under the iconic red and white flag, it is crucial to remember that true patriotism involves embracing diversity, acknowledging past injustices, and working collaboratively towards a more inclusive and equitable society.