Steve Scherer

OTTAWA (Reuters), – Although a days-long protest could not succeed in repealing mandates for vaccines in Canada’s capital, it may pull a troubled Conservative opposition to the right further, reducing its chance of winning control.

Conservatives lost the third consecutive election to Justin Trudeau’s Liberals in last year. They are now torn between populism or moderate policies to appeal to the centrist voters that will determine the next election. This could happen within two years.

The split in opinion may also cost Conservative leader Erin O’Toole his job https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/main-rival-canadas-trudeau-will-resist-efforts-oust-him-2022-02-01. A former top Conservative official said that O’Toole’s refusal to embrace protest quickly “galvanized” those wanting him to quit. This sentiment leads to O’Toole being voted out in a caucus vote on Wednesday.

Darrell Bricker CEO, pollster Ipsos Public Affairs, stated that a move to the right could be problematic for Conservatives. This is because Canadian voters are middle-of-the road.

    “There is no national government lead by a hard-right option. He said that it was basic math.

The protest continued to cause gridlock in downtown Ottawa as demonstrators seek to overturn COVID-19 vaccine mandates championed by Trudeau, including one for cross-border truckers https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/canadas-trudeau-slams-fear-mongering-over-covid-vaccine-mandate-truckers-2022-01-24.

A total of 79% of Canadians received 2 COVID-19 vaccination shots. Most of the pandemic-related measures (including masks or vaccinations) were accepted by politicians from all political parties as sensible public health measures.

Opposition to the pandemic restrictions has become more political with some, like those in Ottawa, adopting the more divided views of former U.S. President Donald Trump south of the border.

Shachi Kurl of the Angus Reid Institute, president, stated that there is a tendency to gravitate towards a Trumpian or Trump-esque ideology.

Trump applauded the demonstration where the most hateful symbols seen at Trump’s rallies (such as Confederate flags or Swastikas) were visible among the crowd. Many Canadians took to social media to vent their anger.

“PAINTED INTO A PORTION”

O’Toole warned Monday that the party would become too extreme if it swerves to the left.

Omicron has begun to shift opinion in favor of lockdowns. Conservative voters are particularly affected by this latest Omicron wave.

An Angus Reid poll revealed that 54% of Canadians believe it’s time to remove restrictions. This is up from 39% in January. 81%, or 34%, of former Conservative voters believe it’s time to remove restrictions.

If serious trouble erupts among the Conservatives and if the party is split, Trudeau will be the clear winner. This week, the Liberal leader who was first elected in 2015 voiced his disapproval at “those flying racist flags”, while defending vaccination as an effective tool to end the pandemic.

The 2003 merger between populist Reform Party (populist) and centerist Progressive Conservative Party led to the formation of the current Conservative party. This party went on to win three successive elections from 2006 through 2011.

According to data, the party’s fundraising efforts have been difficult since the September elections. It raised C$3.1million ($2.44million) for the fourth quarter last year. This is less than half the amount generated in 2020, and lower than that of the Liberals.

Kurl claimed that “the Conservatives have been painted into a corner”, because they are able to alienate their centrist support by supporting the protest and their right-leaning followers if they don’t.

($1 = 1.2694 Canadian dollars)