As Tragedy Strikes Jasper, A Liberal MP Is Already Trying To Exploit It For Political Gain

Is nothing sacred at this point?

By Spencer Fernando, Exclusive to the National Citizens Coalition

We talk a lot about ‘excessive partisanship’ and overly ‘aggressive’ rhetoric in politics.

Many of us – myself included – have certainly pushed the limits when criticizing those we disagree with.

Social media allows us to share our unfiltered thoughts immediately, leading to some profound insights and some comments that would be better left unsaid.

There are also strong incentives to get more and more aggressive, incentives many people succumb to, even if just for a while.

So, it is fair to say we all have work to do – and I again don’t exempt myself here – when it comes to making sure we put a limit on how far we are willing to go rhetorically.

At some point, there must be some things that are still ‘sacred’ in the sense of not immediately looking at events through a hyper-partisan lens.

Personal tragedies.

Natural disasters.

If we are to make it as a country, if we are to successfully find our way through a world that is increasingly chaotic and dangerous, we will have to find a way to – at least once in a while – set aside rabid partisanship and see each other as fellow Canadians.

Sadly, it appears that is too much to ask of Liberal MP Irek Kusmierczyk.

As I write this late Wednesday evening, the town of Jasper, Alberta is ablaze, with the fire in Jasper National Park reaching into the town.

By the time you read this, the damage could be significant.

The first – and at this point only – thought on our minds should be the safety of our fellow Canadians in Jasper, and putting our thoughts and prayers towards the hope that the town will be spared as much as possible.

But for Irek Kusmierczyk, the first thought on his mind was to try and score some cheap political points.

As the fire raged, here is what Kusmierczyk – Liberal MP for Windsor—Tecumseh, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages – had to say:

“President Joe Biden tonight called climate change the existential threat. We see it in Jasper. As hearts break for Albertans, we pledge support. Get folks safe. 

But let's also be real with eachother: this is the world that climate denying Conservatism will leave our children.”

This is gross on multiple levels.

First, the attempt to try and rope the U.S. political situation into a wildfire in Canada is absurd. It shows a mind deeply addled by partisanship.

The attempt to blame Conservatives is even more crass. If the very first thought on your mind as your fellow Canadians suffer is to try and link it to your opponents, then some introspection is in order.

And from a logical perspective, the argument – if you can call it that – that’s being made by Kusmierczyk is horrendous.

The Liberals have been in power for almost nine years.

It’s a national park.

How can the Conservatives be blamed for this?

Keep in mind, it would also be overtly partisan and wrong to blame the Liberals, which of course means it is even more absurd to blame a party that has been in Opposition for nearly a decade.

Even if the Liberals wanted to argue that increasing emissions caused this fire, and not poor forestry management or an underinvestment in, say, water bombers, how would they get past the fact that emissions are global and are not contained within borders?

Canada’s emissions have been relatively stagnant for decades, as have emissions in much of the developed world. What else are we supposed to do?

Do we control emissions in other countries?

Do we control what happens in countries like India and China where emissions are steadily rising?

Of course not.

So, who do the Liberals think they are blaming here?

Look.

I get it.

You get it.

The Liberals are desperate.

They’re scared of losing power. 

Desperation makes people say and do some pretty foolish things.

If Kusmierczyk simply had a bad moment, got angry, and tweeted a thought that would have been better left in his head, he should say so and apologize.

He wouldn’t be the only person to let partisanship go too far or say something awful.

Many would be willing to move on from such a divisive remark – if there was a genuine sense of contrition expressed.

And yet, one can’t help but sense that this kind of hyper-partisanship is going to characterize the Trudeau Liberals from now until election day.

Despite being in government, despite being in a position of power that requires acting on behalf of all Canadians – not just those who voted for them – many Liberals like Kusmierczyk are acting solely out of political desperation.

With that kind of dark mindset, every event is a wedge issue.

Every tragedy is something to exploit.

But when a government goes down that path, the human element is lost.

Our connection as Canadians is lost.

Basic decency is lost.

And so, this becomes another sad episode in which our country feels more and more broken.

Spencer Fernando is one of the most popular and prolific political voices in Canada. He is a writer and campaign fellow for the National Citizens Coalition. Join the mailing list to receive his exclusive weekly columns in your inbox.

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