MONTREAL — Prime Minister Stephen Harper ridiculed his two main opponents for being soft on fighting terrorism and naïve in not recognizing the threat posed to Canadians by jihadist violence.
Before an enthusiastic crowd of 700 party faithful gathered in the YM-YWHA's Ben Weider Jewish Community Centre auditorium on Aug. 2, Harper portrayed his Conservatives as the only party that can make the tough decisions on security necessary to protect Canadians.
He received thunderous applause and cheers for saying Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau “thinks he can just charm ISIS like he charms Iran” and that NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair “can’t even bring himself to say ‘violent jihadism.’”
Neither the Liberal nor New Democratic leader, he suggested, would have strengthened domestic security services nor joined in the international coalition battling ISIS as his government has done.
“They criticize us for not being friendly enough to Iran, but being too friendly to Israel. They simply do not get it that we are living in a dangerous world,” he said.
“[V]iolent groups and people want to kill Canadians… This is no time to close our eyes to the danger…Our government will not back down… it will not pull our troops out of the fight or weaken our security services.”
Harper was nearly drowned out when he also vowed that his government will “continue to support Israel’s right to exist and defend itself.”
Harper was clear that he chose to launch the 11-week campaign in Mount Royal because he believes the Conservatives can make a breakthrough in this riding that has been a Liberal stronghold for 75 years.
Harper, as well as Quebec lieutenant Denis Lebel, the infrastructure minister, referred to the Liberal leader only as “Justin” in their numerous references to him. Trudeau’s late father, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, represented Mount Royal for two decades.
Mount Royal Conservative candidate Robert Libman, as well as many of the party’s other candidates in Quebec, were present. On the front wall of the crowded, sweltering room was a huge Fleur-de-lis flag, a backdrop to the central stage from which Harper spoke.
The Conservatives hold just five of 75 federal seats in the province, none of them on the Island of Montreal.
Harper appealed to their nationalism in urging Quebecers to vote for the Tories to ensure that they have a strong voice in decision-making in a majority Conservative government that Harper is confident will be returned to power.
“Within a united Canada, Quebecers form a nation,” Harper said in French, reminding them of the generous funding his government has given the province over its history.
Libman, who was co-founder and leader of the anglo-rights provincial Equality Party from the late 1980s, introduced himself in French as “a proud Quebecer and a proud Canadian.”
He continued that this election is “about leadership. We live in a volatile and unpredictable world. Prime Minister Harper’s leadership on the international stage has been exemplary, which is particularly appreciated in this riding.”
Libman later told The CJN that he believes Harper’s choice of Mount Royal for the kickoff is “extremely significant; we hope, we expect to win this riding… The message is clear: this is one of the target ridings.” The government’s strong stance on security is “very much appreciated” in Mount Royal, he said.
Among the approximately 100 noisy demonstrators who protested Harper’s appearance outside the Y were at least two Jewish community members who are opposed to his government.
Bryan Wolofsky, a real estate developer, held a sign reading “Israel is NOT a partisan issue” and wore a www.harperscrimes.ca button. He did not hesitate to say that he “hates” Harper.
“Being pro-Israel, which I am, is not synonymous with being pro-Harper… To say vote for me or you are anti-Israel is nonsense,” said Wolofsky, a Mount Royal resident who said he is working for another candidate, but declined to say which one.
“It took a while for me to realize what a fascist [Harper] is… The way he is running the country is pretty vile.”
Endre Farkas, a writer and retired college teacher, held a “Harper is not kosher” sign.
He explained that means what the prime minister is doing “is not right, not proper… whether it be on the environment or our democratic rights.
“I want my Canada back. We used to be a leader in environmental protection, in peacekeeping. Harper has taken a tolerant society and turned it into an unjust one.”
The crowd of protesters, which largely included members of unions and left-wing groups, was kept well back from the Y entrance by police. One man among the demonstrators was reportedly arrested for making threats.
