1/8 On the left is a photo of a tweet from Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole calling upon Canadians to join his fight to “take back Canada” during his leadership campaign. On the right is a photo of Conservative Deputy Leader Candice Bergen wearing a MAGA hat.

2/8 These photos highlight that the same type of toxic, intolerant, radical, far-right rhetoric that incited the violent attack on democracy that took place at the U.S. Capitol yesterday has been embraced and repeatedly employed by our country’s main opposition party.

3/8 To me, this is incredibly troubling; this type of repugnant rhetoric has no place in mainstream political debate in our free and democratic society.

4/8 As I said yesterday, the attack on the democracy of our country’s closest friend, ally, and neighbor highlighted the need for politicians from all parties and ideological persuasions in our country to speak out against this type of rhetoric whenever it is employed.

5/8 That’s why I am reiterating my condemnation of the dangerous and divisive rhetoric employed by Mr. O’Toole during his leadership campaign; I urge him to disavow it and focus his political rhetoric on his policy disagreements with our government.

6/8 That’s also why I am calling upon MP Bergen to apologize for wearing, and being photographed while wearing, a MAGA hat, and to renounce the repugnant rhetoric and actions so closely associated with the hat and the slogan it displays.

7/8 I’m proud stand up against the far-right rhetoric of the Conservative Party leadership and defend the progressive values held by the vast majority of the people of Saint John – Rothesay.

8/8 I would also like to reiterate that I have nothing but respect for my colleagues from other parties, and I have never employed, and will never employ, the type of rhetoric that could incite hatred or violence against them.