Why do extremist politicians say that Christians are being targeted in Canada?
This is a study in mainstream media "editing". I've posted my original article. The Troy Media version is linked below.
Prince George, BC, October 18, 2025 - Pierre Poilievre, the leader of the official opposition in Canadian Parliament, recently stated, “Christians may be the number one group that is victims of hate-based violence, but of course, it’s not politically correct to say that.”
As a lifelong Christian, I appreciate Mr. Poilievre’s concern. There is a certain amount of speculation in his comment, however, and it leaves me with many questions. Are Christians subjected to more hate-based violence in Canada than other religious groups? Where in the world are Christians subjected to hate-based violence? And are the policies Mr. Poilievre is proposing going to lead to a reduction in violence directed at Christians?
According to Statistics Canada, most religiously motivated hate crimes reported to police are directed at our Jewish and Muslim neighbours, not Christians. There was a spike in arson attacks on Christian churches in 2021, but this died down after Indigenous leaders and residential school survivors called for it to end.
In other parts of the world, however, it is very dangerous to be a Christian. As a Levantine Catholic, I am extremely grateful for the safety that has been offered to my family in Canada. My name translates to “minor church official” in Aramaic, the language spoken by Jesus, and my ancestors were likely among his first followers. I often reflect on the message that appealed to them centuries before Catholicism became the official religion of the Roman Empire.
Today, life remains precarious for Christians in the Levant. A number of Catholic churches and schools were bombed in Gaza, and Christians in Gaza have been “shot in cold blood” (in the words of a Vatican news agency) by Israeli military snipers. Conservative American influencer Tucker Carlson has done a great deal to bring to light the suffering of Christians living under Israeli administration. His interviews with pastor Munther Isaac and Mother Agapia Stephanopoulos are both disturbing and extremely revealing.
It is perplexing to me that Mr. Poilievre can claim to be concerned about hate directed at Christians and yet offer unquestioning support to a state that is literally targeting Christians. He has voted against all resolutions to end Canadian arms shipments to Israel, and members of his caucus will not even engage in dialogue on the issue with their constituents.
Perhaps Poilievre’s views were revealed in another Tucker Carlson interview, this time with American Senator Ted Cruz. Cruz stated that he offers unquestioning support to the modern State of Israel because the Book of Genesis says, “Those who bless Israel will be blessed and those who curse Israel will be cursed.” This is an interpretation of the Bible consistent with certain Zionist beliefs, but a view that many Christians, including Carlson, firmly reject.
When I reflect on the message of Christianity that my family has embraced for 2000 years, I find principles that have allowed me to live a happy and meaningful life, yet I find these ideals largely absent from Poilievre’s party platform. “Love your neighbour as yourself.” “It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
I also believe that every person is a sacred Child of God who deserves to be treated with the utmost respect. I therefore find Poilievre’s targeting of specific groups - like the trans community - disturbing and contrary to the message of Jesus. “Whatever you did to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did to me.”
It is unfortunate that Poilievre and his caucus post sound-bites yet refuse to engage in dialogue with skilful interviewers. For now, all we can do is speculate as to why Poilievre expressed concern about a non-existent issue in Canada, while his party's policies result in actual harm to so many Children of God.
I specifically asked my editors at Troy Media not to call Poilievre a “Conservative”. He is an extremist politician who, in my mind, violates the proud tradition of Conservatism in Canada. They did not respect my wish. Am I being too picky? Why do you think they edited this article the way that they did?
I think you know the answer to your question Gerry.
What this reflects is the need to reform who pays for media. “Whoever pays the piper, selects the tune” as they say.
I am in Ireland right now, and one of the interesting things is that the Irish believe nothing they see or hear on the news about Gaza Israel. However, they are very accepting of what they hear about the EU, Nato, and Russia.
In Canada, with in the circles I run in, people are extremely cynical and believe next to nothing they see in the media on just about any subject. What is the difference? I would observe that 100 years ago, the Irish were the Palestinians and being demonized continunously (and embargoed) by the British. 150 years ago, the British were actively forcing the Catholic Irish out of Ireland.
In the part of Canada I live in, we have people who left just about every part of the world because of issues in thier own country. They know the truth about what is happening back home, because they have family there still, and know that what is being reported is not true. They also know from experience, that narratives are about dividing people, not about truth.
Hence, the answer to your question Gerry. The people paying the Piper need Canadian Christians to be victims right now.