Belanger appointed to cabinet
Belanger appointed to cabinet
WATCH: Buckley Belanger, Saskatchewan's sole Liberal representative, has been appointed to cabinet.
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Canada Standard
28 minutes ago
- Canada Standard
How far-right ideas in Canada are working their way into mainstream politics
The fortunes of the Conservative Party and its leader Pierre Poilievre in Canada's April 2025 election seemed to have shifted dramatically after United States President Donald Trump called for Canada to become the 51st state. Political pundits regarded Mark Carney and the Liberal Party's victory - along with the failure of Poilievre to retain his own seat - as a "Trump slump" and a repudiation of both Trump's and Poilievre's style of politics. But is that an accurate assessment? The Conservative Party received its largest vote share since Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. Exit polling data suggested stronger support for the Conservative Party among people aged 18-34 than among people aged 55 and older. Although Trump has said Poilievre is "not a MAGA guy," some political analysts have likened the rhetoric of Poilievre and other Canadian Conservatives to American Republicans who lean towards far-right Christian nationalist politics.. As an inter-religious humanities scholar of the U.S. far right, I have observed alarming parallels between the rise of the far right in mainstream politics in the U.S. and the scene in Canada. Read more: A 'Trump slump' has lifted the left in Canada and now Australia - what are the lessons for NZ? In the U.S., both scholars and news media have been highlighting the connections between far-right Christian ideology and politics. Trump's first presidential term ended with the Jan. 6, 2021 violent attack on the U.S. Capitol. Scholars like Matthew Taylor, author of The Violent Take it by Force , have pointed to Christian nationalism and other far-right ideologies as factors that motivated the rioters. In February 2025, Trump appointed televangelist Paula White-Cain to head the newly created White House Faith Office. White-Cain's appointment followed an executive order establishing a task force to eradicate anti-Christian bias. Thea appointment adds to the the narrative that U.S. Christians are facing persecution, a refrain since at least the 1970s and heightened during Barack Obama's presidency. Scholars have linked the assertion that "Christianity is under attack" to the rise of Christian nationalism in mainstream politics. Read more: Trump may have emboldened hate in Canada, but it was already here American sociologists Andrew Whitehead and Samuel Perry define Christian nationalism as "a cultural framework that blurs distinctions between Christian identity and American identity, viewing the two as closely related and seeking to enhance and preserve their union." It's tempting to read "Christian idenity" and "American identity" and assume it does not affect Canada. But Christian nationalist ideologies were present during the so-called Freedom Convoy in Ottawa in 2022. According to Canadian scholars, national identity is blurred in online spaces, allowing U.S. nationalist ideals to take hold in Canada.] Christian nationalism is not synonymous with Christianity or any specific branch of Christianity, like evangelical Christianity. According to U.S. sociologist Daniel Miller, Christian nationalism is not a set list of ideological or religious beliefs. Instead, Miller says, Christian nationalism emerges when people identify with "a very narrow, idealized prototype of the 'real or 'authentic' American." He says two mechanisms connect people to Christian nationalism. The first is perceived loss of power by the people who historically held power. This is known as a "power devaluation crisis." The second is a narrative of decline - known as a a "declensionist narrative" - which asserts that American society has declined since the 1960s and needs repair and reclamation. Poilievre is not open about his religion and does not call for Canada to be a Christian nation. But whether Poilievre intends to stir up Christian nationalists, some of his rhetoric has indicated support for the classic definitions of Christian nationalism. According to Miller, support for Christian nationalism is not always direct. It can be activated by stoking a crisis of lost power, like the decline of the "traditional" family or by asserting a narrative of decline, like "Canada is broken." For example, Poilievre's 2025 campaign mobilized both of the narrative mechanisms that attract Christian nationalist mentioned by sociologists: a power devaluation crisis and the narrative of decline. In the lead-up to his 2025 campaign, Poilievre repeatedly called Canada "broken.". He cited increased crime, addiction, high grocery prices and more as evidence of Canada's brokenness, accusing the Liberal government of erasing Canada's past. When Poilievre calls Canada "broken," it affirms the world view of Christian nationalists. Another strategy Poilievre reportedly adopted from Trump was his work to court conservative Christians. In an 2024 interview with The Tyee , religious right scholar Carmen Celestini of Waterloo University said Poilievre had "ramped up" his presence at churches. Additionally, The Globe and Mail reported there were fewer photos ops of Poilievre visiting mosques in 2024. Of course, visits to churches are not enough to signal alignment with Christian nationalists. And Poilievre has not espoused any Christian evangelical ideals in any public speech. But it's still important for Canadians to remain alert about Christian nationalists and their ambitions to become part of mainstream politics. A study from the U.S. has linked the rise in Christian nationalist ideologies to attacks on religious minorities. The 2024 qualitative data from the study indicates that when politicians rhetorically supported Christian nationalist values, there was a increased violence against minority groups. According to Statistics Canada, the violent crime rate in Canada rose 13 per cent from 2021-2022.. Police-reported hate crimes increased 32 per cent from 2022 to 2023. Crimes targeting religion rose 67 per cent in 2023, primarily targeting Jewish and Muslim communities. While I know of no studies showing the rise of the far right is directly leading to violence in Canada, Canadians should be aware of the pattern in the U.S. Research shows that growing Christian nationalists and far-right world views south of the border are, in fact, connected to a rise in violence.
CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
Holland College questions fairness of province giving $2M grant only to UPEI
Social Sharing The president of Holland College is not happy that the P.E.I. government stepped in with a $2-million grant to the University of Prince Edward Island to cope with the loss of revenue from international tuition fees, but Holland College got nothing. "It doesn't seem fair... I support closely what the administration of UPEI is doing and I think that they are doing some cool things after a very difficult period of time, but no, it doesn't seem fair," said college president and CEO Sandy MacDonald. "I guess I'm qualifying my answer because I'm hoping the province will take the opportunity in the next fiscal year to balance things out, so I'm hoping it will be made fair." MacDonald has estimated that the international student population at the college will plummet by 85 per cent over the next two years as federal changes to student permits kick in, designed in part to relieve a nationwide housing crunch. From a high of 800 international students, Holland College enrolment is projected to fall to 140 students by September 2026. That means a huge drop in revenue, leading the college to phase out eight programs and lay off 25 staff. Three kilometres away from Holland College's main campus in Charlottetown, at the University of Prince Edward Island, officials have raised tuition fees and made some cuts. But they also received a one-time grant of $2 million from the Department of Workforce, Advanced Learning and Population to help offset the loss of international tuition fees, estimated at $3 million this year. It was included in UPEI's 2025-2026 budget as a line item called International Enrolment Reduction Support. UPEI's vice-president of administration and finance, Tim Walker, said it will be used for things like recruitment and retention, enrolment planning, and a hunt for new revenue streams. "This important support gives UPEI the opportunity to consider more options and take action during this fiscal year, ensuring we have a stronger foundation for the next budget planning cycle (2026-27)," Walker said in an email to CBC News. MacDonald said getting a similar $2 million would have made a huge difference to Holland College. "We have been underfunded for many years," he said. "We've made the argument many times. It goes back all the way to the auditor general's report from 1999; Wayne Murphy said at the time we had a structural deficit." Why the upfront cost is multiplying for international students on the Island 1 year ago Duration 3:59 Both UPEI and Holland College are increasing tuition deposits for international students. Lornie Hughes, the registrar at Holland College, explains why. Expected funding did not come in He said in 2023, the college and the province made a deal that would provide extra money over the next three fiscal years to help the college catch up with its deficit. Then it would go back to a lower funding level. The first year, Holland College did get a 9.5 per cent increase and $3 million more for its capital budget. This year, it was expecting the same. "We did not get that. We got a 6.5 per cent increase and half of the $3 million in capital," MacDonald said. "We were disappointed, but we understood the province is under financial constraints, so we had to accept that." Would the $2 million have made a difference in terms of those decisions? Of course it would. — Sandy MacDonald Then came the realization that UPEI had asked for — and gotten — the $2 million grant. "We've suspended eight programs, we've cut portions of three other programs," MacDonald said. "Those were the results of the deficit that we faced this fiscal year. So would the $2 million have made a difference in terms of those decisions? Of course it would." As for the future, MacDonald said the college will ask for — and hopefully get — some International Enrolment Reduction Support funding of its own for 2026-2027. "Certainly we will have a significant deficit again this year," he said. "I've spoken to the province since the budget come down and they've said, 'We're willing to work with you.' "So if UPEI was getting a one-time grant for this issue this year, certainly we would be hoping to get something similar for next year." Cuts at Holland College will affect all union members, UPSE president says afterweekend meeting 2 months ago Duration 2:16 The news came late Friday: Holland College said it would freeze some programs and downsize others because caps on international students have led to the P.E.I. college is taking in less money. Over the weekend, the president of the college met with union officials like Karen Jackson of UPSE (shown) to discuss what happens next, especially with the 35 jobs that will be affected. CBC's Stacey Janzer reports. Province's response CBC News reached out to the provincial government about the grant to UPEI and MacDonald's concerns. "Holland College did not receive funding in the 2025-26 academic year for an international enrolment reduction support grant," a spokesperson replied by email. "The province is working closely with post-secondary institutions to help address overall enrolment challenges and the impact of international student reductions... "All funding requests submitted to the province undergo a thorough review and consideration process. Holland College did receive a 6.5 per cent increase in its core operating funding for the 2025-26 academic year to help address operational needs.
Globe and Mail
an hour ago
- Globe and Mail
Canada invites Saudi Crown Prince to G7 summit
Canada has invited Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the Group of Seven summit in Alberta this month, an extension of hospitality to a kingdom Ottawa once shunned after the 2018 murder of a dissident journalist who criticized its rulers. A source with knowledge of the matter confirmed the invitation and said there had been no response so far on whether Mr. bin Salman will attend the June 15-17 meeting in Kananaskis. The Globe and Mail is not identifying the source, as they were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter. Mr. bin Salman is not the only leader Canada is inviting in spite of a strained bilateral relationship. Prime Minister Mark Carney is welcoming Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi even though Ottawa has publicly accused his government of playing a role in the 2023 murder of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The G7 summit is being held just outside Calgary. Here's who will be there and what these meetings achieve Saudi Arabia and India are not members of the G7 but hosts of gatherings of this annual political and economic forum for top industrialized countries often invite other national leaders to join. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is also attending the summit in Alberta, as is Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. In 2018, Ottawa followed the United States in imposing sanctions on 17 Saudis for the slaying of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi. He was murdered in the kingdom's Istanbul consulate in October of that year when he entered to procure documents certifying a divorce. U.S. media, including the Washington Post, later reported that the CIA believes the Crown Prince ordered Mr. Khashoggi's killing – contradicting Riyadh's assertion that he was not involved in the murder. Canada's sanctions remain in place today. Canada and Saudi Arabia also suffered a major diplomatic rift for nearly five years starting in 2018 when Riyadh expelled Canada's ambassador after the department of Global Affairs and Chrystia Freeland, who was minister of foreign affairs at the time, publicly called for the immediate release of several imprisoned political activists in the kingdom. Riyadh also recalled its envoy, decrying what it said was 'blatant interference' in its internal affairs, and it froze new trade and investment with Canada. The Saudi embassy in Ottawa did not immediately return a request for comment on the invitation.
