Former Quebec Premier Jean Charest, along with a group of former mayors, senators, artists, and business people, has raised concerns about the increase in incivility across Canada. In an open letter published in The Globe and Mail, they called on the political class to take concrete action to improve public debate. They believe that Canadians are becoming less tolerant of divergent points of view and are resorting to belligerent behavior, particularly in relation to the conflict in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas. The authors of the letter warn that if nothing is done to address this rise in incivility, it could tear apart Canada’s social fabric irreparably.
Charest specifically blames social media for enabling this increase in incivility, pointing to a recent wave of resignations by around 800 local politicians in Quebec since the last elections in 2021. Former Gatineau mayor France Bélisle resigned, citing intimidation as a factor. Charest is concerned that this incivility is affecting the ability of elected officials to perform their duties, with some officials feeling forced to resign due to the hostile environment. He also highlighted incidents of death threats targeting political leaders like Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon and confrontations like the one Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly faced on the street regarding the war in Gaza.
Charest emphasized the impact of these tensions on Quebec university campuses, noting a difficulty in maintaining dialogue due to heightened emotions. He expressed concern about the influence of American politics on Canadian society, urging Quebecers and all Canadians to resist being swayed by developments in the U.S. He stressed the importance of fostering a culture of tolerance, acceptance, and dialogue in Canadian society, stating that democracy is too valuable to allow incivility to go unchecked. The letter aims to encourage senior political leaders in Canada to demonstrate their commitment to creating a safer, more cohesive, and respectful society where hatred has no place.
The reaction to the open letter was strong, surprising Charest and the co-signatories. Some people misinterpreted their call for action as an attempt to silence dissenting voices, which was not the intention. The authors of the letter are focused on addressing the trend of increasing incivility in public discourse and preventing it from causing further harm to Canadian society. Charest highlighted the impact of hurtful and harmful remarks made on social media, particularly towards women in public roles, leading to difficult situations and even resignations. He stressed the need for proactive measures to counteract this trend and protect the ability of elected officials to fulfill their responsibilities.
Overall, Charest and his co-signatories are calling for urgent action to combat the rise of incivility and hostility in Canada. They believe that fostering a culture of respect, tolerance, and dialogue is crucial for maintaining a healthy democracy and cohesive society. By highlighting the negative impact of social media, political confrontations, and threats on public discourse and elected officials, they aim to rally support for a more respectful and inclusive Canada. The letter serves as a wake-up call to political leaders to prioritize addressing this pressing issue before it causes irreparable damage to the country’s social fabric.
