In the 1960s, the Liberal Party of Canada was known as a big tent party, welcoming everyone and championing equality, fairness in the rule of law, free speech, and tolerance. This message was popular among young individuals at the time, leading many to identify themselves as Liberals.
However, in the present day, the party has seen a significant decline in support from young people, dropping to only 18 percent in recent poll numbers. The rise of intolerance within the party has surprised many, with its criticism against those who do not share their progressive agenda becoming increasingly vindictive.
This rise of intolerance within the party has driven people away, leading to the adoption of intersectionality as a core principle, catering to an increasingly factionalized population. This fragmentation has caused the Liberals to increasingly divide Canadians by race, age, sex, and ability, further contributing to the rise of intolerance within the party.
The Liberal Party’s focus seems to be portraying the Official Opposition as a party of neo-Nazis, as evidenced by statements made by party leader Justin Trudeau and other party members. This narrative has led to widespread accusations against conservatives, or even old-fashioned liberals, as being Nazis, further perpetuating intolerance within the country.
This shift away from tolerance and liberalism has led many to question whether the Liberal Party can still be considered “liberal” at all. The fearmongering and attempts to control media and electorate are contrary to the ideals of liberalism, and the party would be wise to end such practices as they approach the expected October 2025 election.