There comes a time when the stakes are too high to stay silent. In a country that has long prided itself on being compassionate, tolerant, and progressive, we are now facing a political shift that could upend the very values that define us. That shift has a name: Pierre Poilievre.
To some, he’s a straight-talking, no-nonsense alternative to the current government. To others, myself included, he represents a regressive force in Canadian politics, cloaked in populist rhetoric and calculated outrage. After years of watching his political manoeuvres, listening to his speeches, and digging into his voting record, I can say with absolute certainty: I could never vote for Pierre Poilievre.
Here’s why.
Photo by Daniel Joseph Petty
1. He Incites Hate
Leadership, at its core, is about unifying people, especially during times of uncertainty. It’s about elevating the national conversation, not dragging it into the mud of division. And yet, time and again, Pierre Poilievre has chosen to stoke the fires of resentment rather than lead with empathy or vision.
From his casual dismissal of marginalized voices to his gleeful amplification of conspiracy theories during the pandemic and the so-called “Freedom Convoy,” Poilievre has weaponized fear and distrust. He doesn’t simply disagree with opponents—he vilifies them. He doesn’t offer policy alternatives—he crafts enemies out of experts, journalists, and even fellow Canadians.
In doing so, he’s invited a dangerous tone into our national discourse, one where hate and division are not just tolerated but encouraged.
2. He Emboldens the Worst in People
The rise of populism around the world has followed a familiar pattern: a charismatic figure taps into public discontent, offers simple solutions to complex problems, and legitimizes previously fringe ideologies. Pierre Poilievre is Canada’s version of that troubling trend.
Rather than call out hate and bigotry, he plays footsie with it. He attended the “Freedom Convoy” rallies that shut down Ottawa—events rife with anti-government rhetoric, racism, and white nationalist imagery. While most Canadians were horrified, Poilievre used the moment to grandstand, railing against “gatekeepers” and casting himself as the voice of the “real” people.
He doesn’t inspire hope—he emboldens anger. And that anger has a cost: it chips away at our social fabric, encourages harassment of the vulnerable, and gives legitimacy to ideas that should have no place in mainstream discourse.
3. He’s a Career Politician Disguised as an Outsider
Pierre Poilievre likes to present himself as the anti-establishment crusader, fighting the “elites” on behalf of ordinary Canadians. But let’s not be fooled—he is the establishment.
He was first elected in 2004, at just 25 years old, and has been a fixture in federal politics ever since. That’s over two decades of drawing a taxpayer-funded salary while building a career out of carefully calculated outrage. This is not a man who stumbled into politics after a lifetime of “real work”—this is his real work. Politics is his entire identity.
For someone who rails against the so-called “gatekeepers,” it’s worth noting that he’s been guarding the same gate for years. He talks a big game about reform, but his career has been defined by obstruction, not transformation. If anything, his record shows a man who adapts his persona to fit the political winds—an actor more than an architect.
4. He Has Repeatedly Voted Against Social Rights
A quick look at Poilievre’s voting history reveals a consistent pattern: when progressive legislation has come before Parliament, he has often voted no.
He has voted against bills aimed at protecting transgender Canadians. He has opposed measures to ensure reproductive rights for women. He has dismissed legislation designed to support marginalized communities, not based on nuance or concerns over implementation, but often with blanket opposition rooted in ideology.
It’s not just that I disagree with his votes—it’s that his choices signal a profound disconnect from the lived experiences of millions of Canadians. When you vote against someone’s rights, you’re telling them they don’t matter, that they don’t deserve the same freedoms, protections, or dignity as everyone else.
A leader who cannot or will not affirm the rights of women, queer people, and other marginalized communities is not a leader for all Canadians. Full stop.
5. He Opposes 2SLGBTQIA+ Rights and Women’s Rights
Pierre Poilievre has cultivated a carefully ambiguous public image when it comes to social issues, but his record speaks for itself. He has voted against transgender rights legislation, resisted moves toward gender equity, and remained silent during key moments when 2SLGBTQIA+ communities were under attack.
Whether out of genuine belief or political calculation, the result is the same: his leadership would roll back progress, not protect it.
Let’s be clear: silence is not neutrality. When hate crimes rise, when trans youth are being vilified, when access to abortion is threatened, we need leaders who speak up, not sit out. Poilievre’s unwillingness to unequivocally support these communities tells us all we need to know.
This is not a man who will fight for us. This is not a man who believes we all deserve equal rights.
6. He Might Not Even Win His Own Riding
It’s telling that in a political climate where he’s made himself the center of attention, there’s genuine concern that he may not even be able to hold onto his own seat in Carleton. His hold on the riding has weakened as more voters in Ottawa and its suburbs grow tired of his antics and his divisive politics.
If the person leading a national campaign can’t even convincingly win over the people who know him best—his constituents—that should raise major red flags for the rest of us.
This isn’t just a tactical concern; it speaks to a deeper issue. Pierre Poilievre has spent so much time trying to build a national persona that he seems to have forgotten what it means to be accountable to a community. He’s campaigning for power, not for people.
Conclusion: My Conscience Won’t Let Me
I’ve heard the arguments. I know people are frustrated with inflation, with housing costs, with slow-moving bureaucracies and broken promises. These are real issues that deserve real solutions. But Pierre Poilievre is not the answer.
We need bold ideas, not bluster. We need compassion, not combativeness. We need unity, not division.
Voting for Poilievre would be endorsing a brand of politics that thrives on fear, scapegoating, and regression. It would mean aligning myself with someone who actively opposes the rights of people I care about, who sows distrust in our institutions, and who prioritizes personal ambition over national progress.
I can’t do it. My conscience won’t let me.
Canada deserves better.
markmunroe
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