(OTTAWA) Conservative leader candidate Pierre Poilievre denounces the “grand replacement” theory that would be central to the motivations of the author of the mass shooting in Buffalo, New York.
Posted at 4:02pm
Stephanie Taylor The Canadian Press
According to Mr Poilievre, this school of thought is “disgusting and incites hatred”.
In a written statement to The Canadian Press, the favorite in the Conservative Party leadership race condemned the attack that killed ten people and wounded three on Saturday. Police authorities say it was an armed white man who opened fire at a grocery store located in a neighborhood where the majority of the population is black.
US law enforcement is still investigating online posts by the shooter, who allegedly raised the theory that a conspiracy was afoot to reduce white influence in society.
People who adhere to the “grand replacement” theory believe that this changing of the guard would occur via the immigration route. They also point out that whites have a lower birth rate than people of other races. Some go so far as to say that this conspiracy is led by the Jews.
Mr Poilievre’s statement was in response to a Twitter post by one of his opponents in the Conservative race, Patrick Brown.
Mr Brown recalled on Twitter that Pat King, one of the leaders of the so-called “freedom convoy” that took to the streets of Ottawa in February, launched the “great replacement” theory with the past.
Because Mr Poilievre supported the “Liberty Convoy,” Mr Brown urged him to “condemn this heinous act.”
“It is very lowly of Patrick Brown to take that shortcut – even for him,” Mr Poilievre wrote in his statement. I have supported truckers who obeyed the law and protested peacefully for their freedom, but I have also denounced the actions of individuals who broke the law, did wrong, and blocked access to certain locations. »
“I also condemned Pat King and his snide remarks,” he added.
In response to Mr Poilievre’s comments, a spokesman for Mr Brown accused him of “reluctantly making a statement when asked, rather than shouting a denunciation of every platform you have”.
“Flirting with these dangerous elements is doing the vast majority of Conservative Party members a disservice and will cost us the next election if nothing is done,” Chisholm Pothier wrote.
Acting Conservative leader Candice Bergen also sent out a statement calling racism repugnant.
“The ‘big substitute’ conspiracy theory is supported by racists and idiots. Conservatives unanimously condemn this line of thinking. »
Ms. Bergen adds that “while Canadians have the right to demonstrate, they cannot unlawfully blockade or occupy specific locations or use hate speech.”
With information from The Associated Press