Canadian Conservatives are Shifting Further Right, Veering Into Extremism

In recent years, Canada’s conservative political landscape has undergone a significant transformation. Once known for its pragmatic and often centrist approach, the Progressive Conservative Party has increasingly embraced more radical and divisive rhetoric. As the party shifts further right than ever before, this ideological drift is not only undermining its credibility but also threatening the very values that have long defined Canadian society. 

A New Era of Polarization

Under the leadership of Pierre Poilievre, who became Conservative leader in 2022, the party has moved decisively away from its more moderate roots. While Poilievre’s rise has been celebrated by some conservative circles, it has also emboldened more extreme elements within the movement. His populist, anti-establishment messaging resonates with voters frustrated by economic inequality, cultural shifts, and perceived government overreach. However, Poilievre’s embracing of polarizing, inflammatory language has stoked division and normalized far-right ideologies that once seemed alien to the Canadian political mainstream. The Conservative Party's moderates, who used to define the values of what it meant to be a Conservative Canadian, have all but disappeared, replaced by an increasing number of far-right extremists. 

This is incredibly apparent in many of the many hot-topic debates of our current political climate. As Frank Graves and Michael Valpy wrote in a 2020 Macleans article, "more than 90 percent of Canadians who identify with the political centre-left, which is 65 percent of adult citizens, think that Canada now has a climate emergency. For people who identify as Conservative, the figure is less than 30 percent. Four years ago (in 2016), there was a 20-percentage-point gap between Liberals and Conservatives on trust in science. That exploded to a 40 percent gap following the last election."

But it is not just views on science that have seen a shift towards extremism from Canadian Conservatives. Opinions on topics traditionally embraced by Canadians from both sides of the aisle have taken a hard right turn as well. Take immigration, for example. In the same Macleans article, Graves and Valpy point out how "since 2012, the incidence of Conservative voters who think Canada is admitting 'too many' visible minorities as immigrants has swollen from 47 percent to 70 percent. Meanwhile, the corresponding incidence of Liberals agreeing there are too many has dropped from 35 to 15 percent. A modest 12 percent gap has also expanded to a massive 55 percent gap."

This is undoubtedly intentional, particularly from Poilievre's 'Common Sense Conservatives' movement. One of the most noticeable shifts in Poilievre’s leadership has been his reliance on fear-based rhetoric. The Conservative leader frequently paints Canada’s political establishment, the media, and progressive activists as enemies of the people, accusing them of stifling free speech, eroding Canadian values, and undermining the economy. While his fiery speeches and criticisms resonate with many disillusioned voters, they also create a fertile ground for the spreading of hate and conspiratorial narratives that characterize ordinary (white) Canadians as victims. 

Poilievre's rhetoric has opened the door for more extreme voices within the Conservative base, some of whom openly question the legitimacy of Canada’s democratic institutions. The growing influence of anti-immigrant, anti-LGBTQ+, and anti-elite factions within the party raises concerns about the direction in which the Conservatives are heading.

Embracing Dangerous Extremes

Poilievre’s more recent moves have made it clear that the Conservative Party is no longer solely focused on traditional conservative priorities like tax cuts, limited government, and fiscal responsibility. Instead, the party is increasingly adopting positions that echo far-right populist movements seen around the world. Whether it’s the flirtation with anti-immigrant rhetoric, his criticism of "woke" culture, or his endorsement of anti-vaccine sentiment during the pandemic, Poilievre and other leading figures within the Conservative Party have aligned themselves with movements that veer dangerously close to extremism.

For instance, Poilievre has been openly critical of the Black Lives Matter movement and has downplayed systemic racism in Canada, despite growing calls for action on racial justice. His embrace of figures who have promoted far-right conspiracy theories, such as the Freedom Convoy protestors, has further alienated the party from moderates and people of colour who feel increasingly unwelcome in the Conservative fold.

The Rise of "Woke" Criticism

Another hallmark of this rightward shift is the growing criticism of “woke culture.” What Poilievre and other conservatives label as “wokeism”—a broad term for progressive activism that challenges inequality and injustice—is increasingly seen as a threat to free speech and traditional values. Conservatives argue that the left-wing focus on issues like racial justice, gender rights, and climate change is “divisive” and that Canadians are tired of hearing about issues they believe are unimportant or overly politicized.

This rhetoric has resonated with voters who feel alienated by a political discourse that is centred on social justice issues. Yet, by labelling the pursuit of equity and inclusion as “woke” or “radical,” Poilievre risks not only dividing the electorate but also pushing the party further away from the values of compassion and empathy that Canadians traditionally hold dear.

A Party at a Crossroads

The Conservative Party is at a critical crossroads. On one hand, it faces the challenge of remaining relevant in an increasingly polarized political climate. On the other, it risks alienating the very voters who once saw the party as a voice of reason in Canadian politics.

As Pierre Poilievre's Conservative Party party veers further right, Canadians must ask: What kind of Canada do we want to build? One that embraces division, fear, and exclusion, or one that continues to celebrate the values of diversity, inclusivity, and compassion?

For many, the current trajectory of the Conservative Party represents a betrayal of the very principles that have long made Canada a global leader in human rights, democracy, and social justice. If the party continues to embrace extremist rhetoric and divisive policies, it could not only damage its own political future but also threaten the fabric of Canadian society itself.

In the coming years, Canadians will have to decide whether they want to continue the inclusive, tolerant path that has defined the country for decades or allow the Conservative Party’s rightward shift to set the tone for the nation’s future. The stakes have never been higher.