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I was a PC voter until the party was stolen by Stephen Harper. He turned out to be a better PM than I expected. He stayed at the center and kept the wing nuts under his thumb. Since he left the CPC has moved towards Republican right wing extremism. I will still support Progressive Conservatives. Unfortunately the present CPC is closer to being the Convoy Party of Canada. As bad as some of the Liberal policies are they are still more rational than are possible with Pierre Poliver.

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Great article Mr O’Toole. Putting all allegiances aside, I believe that the majority of Canadians would like to see the profanity eliminated but even more so, the anger that is expressed and creates the environment promoting the profanity. Argue from a fact base, not an emotional base. Question the government’s policy but also offer alternatives. And do this on the floor of the House of Commons, not in the mainstream or social media. In my book, you have just raised yourself up a healthy notch or two.

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Excellent article Erin!

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“Stop Harper” and “F… Trudeau”, together with the gallows, nooses and the like, are not the same. Until Conservatives are willing to tell these people to take a hike, they are part of the problem.

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Could this start with your party being more civil in question period?

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Your post demonstrates how deeply disconnected and indifferent you are to Canadians who have suffered immensely under this Liberal regime.

GOOD Canadians have lost their livelihoods, been demonized, shunned from society, their rights abolished and their voiced MUTED. They are lucky to even get two words in, so they better count.

F_Trudeau is as good as it gets and better than he deserves.

How dare you scold those who have lost so much! You have been completely ineffectual during this entire ordeal.

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I like "The proliferation of these types of political displays in recent years are a sign that we are slowly becoming desensitized to political stunts and aggressive rhetoric whether it comes from the left or right."

But then to follow it you by saying that right wingers are only doing their things in response to "the cancel culture of the woke left" is exactly as partisan as what you're arguing against.

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It's nice to see you talk the talk, it's a shame the PP refuses to walk the walk. Here's hoping that changes in 2023. It's one thing to be his majesties Loyal opposition, it's quite another to rabble rouse with open insurrectionists.

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Thank you Erin for writing this thoughtful and erudite article. I too, am in complete disagreement with not only the flags, but the general political discourse in Canada, and would like to suggest a return to single issue debates by our party leaders, such as we had in the past.

I would like to see Canadians witness more mature political discourse among the party leaders, outside of the House of Commons. I see podcasts as a form of media that people are increasingly engaged with. I think the trend to short-form media limits political debate tremendously, and we need to actively work against this media limitation.

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Great article. I wish I had heard more of that Erin O'Toole during the his leadership campaign and the last election.

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Erin. Thank you for the courage in writing what needs to be said. The real issues get lost in this over the top shouting and accusations fired by both the right and the left. Certainly no side is innocent.

Especially in Parliament, we should be able to illustrate how we can disagree without being bitterly disagreeable. W Easter

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"Conservatives believe deeply in fostering and protecting individual liberties."

so deeply in fact that federal and provincial conservatives were all-in on mandating private health matters on an entire population

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You are nothing but a Trudeau Liberal pretending to be a conservative. 2 birds of a feather, both traitors to this beautiful country. F#ck Trudeau and F#ck O'Toole!

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Excellent article. There needs to be a greater level of maturity in our society today.

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