When a member of the Canadian senate makes statements calling on pro-pipeline protesters to “roll over every Liberal left in the country,” the statement should be cause for alarm.
Last Tuesday, Saskatchewan Conservative senator David Tkachuk made that statement when addressing members of the United We Roll convoy in Ottawa.
His statements echo the seething anger felt by many Canadians who are upset with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the federal Liberal government.
This is not the first time such comments have been uttered in discussions about Canadian federal politics.
Earlier this year, some on the Yellow Vests Canada Facebook page posted comments calling for the death of Trudeau.
Such comments are extremely disturbing and they reflect an uncomfortable trend in Canadian politics.
Instead of a tone of respectful disagreement, there has been a growing shift towards hate for those who hold opposing viewpoints.
And when the comments come from Tkachuk, a senator for more than 25 years, something has gone very wrong.
Whatever anyone thinks of the Trudeau Liberals, calls for the death of a Prime Minister or the deaths of Liberal MPs are completely unacceptable.
If calls for the deaths of the Prime Minister or Liberal MPs are issued, then how long will it be before similar calls are made targetting the millions of Canadians who voted for a Liberal candidate in the last election?
Tkachuk later said his comments were meant figuratively, not literally. But this explanation changes nothing.
Even if Tkachuk’s words were meant figuratively, the harsh, antagonistic tone now exists.
And if this aggressive tone continues unchecked, it is only a matter of time before someone will move from angry speech to violent actions.