Â鶹´«Ã½

Skip to main content

Pierre Poilievre denounces Conservative MPs' meeting with far-right German politician

Share

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is denouncing a far-right German politician after three of his MPs met with her during her Canadian tour in support of the “Freedom Convoy†movement.

Christine Anderson, a European Parliament member with the Alternative für Deutschland party, concludes her four-stop tour of Canada with an event in Montreal on Friday after speaking in Calgary, Toronto, and Whitby, Ont.

Three Ontario Conservative MPs – Colin Carrie, Dean Allison and former leadership contender Leslyn Lewis – were photographed with Anderson this week.

Their participation was noted by the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs in an online statement.

“We’re deeply concerned by CPC MPs @LeslynLewis @DeanAllisonMP @ColinCarrieCPC meeting with @AndersonAfDMdEP - a member of the far-right German AFD Party known for Islamophobic and anti-immigrant views,†.

Poilievre's spokeperson said the MPs were unaware of her “vile†views and said they regret meeting with her.

“Frankly, it would be better if Anderson never visited Canada in the first place. She and her racist, hateful views are not welcome here,†said Sebastian Skamski, director of media relations for the Official Opposition Leader's office, in a written statement.

The three MPs released a statement saying it’s not uncommon for MPs to meet visiting elected officials from other countries and denied awareness of her views or her party’s.

Alternative für Deutschland has opposed immigration and decries what some of its members call the “Islamization†of Europe.

, Anderson said Islam was the cause of the denial of women’s human rights in Afghanistan.

“For God’s sake, take a look around,†she said, claiming women are repressed in all Muslim countries.

“Call the devil by its name and stop using apologetic terms to downplay the true nature of the most despicable and horrific ideology women suffer from worldwide.â€

Anderson made headlines in Canada last year when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke to the European Parliament.

“Mr. Trudeau, you are a disgrace for any democracy,†. “Please spare us your presence.â€

Anderson has been welcomed warmly in Canada by many associated with the “Freedom Convoy†protests that gridlocked Ottawa and border crossings last year.

Tamara Lich, a leader of protests, was photographed with Anderson this week, along with two of her lawyers Keith Wilson and Eva Chipiuk, of the Edmonton-based Justice Centre for Freedom, which litigates against vaccine mandates and participated in the public inquiry studying the government’s use of the Emergencies Act.

From left, Christine Anderson, Keith Wilson, Tamara Lich and Eve Chipiuk

At one event, Anderson arrived in a convoy of semi-tractor trailer trucks, wearing a Freedom Fighters Canada sweatshirt.

In Toronto, she also posed for a photograph with the flag of Diagolon, an online protest movement that some law enforcement agencies consider an extremist group.

The “What Would Christine Anderson Do†tour’s sponsors included Canadians for Truth, an organization run by Saskatchewan businessman Joseph Bourgault, which also promotes speaking events by anti-mandate activists Jamie Sale, a former Olympic figure skater, and Theoren Fleury, a former NHL player. Tickets for her events sold for $50.

IN DEPTH

Opinion

opinion

opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster

A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?

opinion

opinion Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike

When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

The British Columbia election campaign is set to officially start today, with Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin issuing the writ for the Oct. 19 vote.

A northern Ontario man is facing a $12,000 fine after illegally shooting a moose near the Batchawan River.

Unusual flippered feet are making their way into the Saint Lawrence River this weekend. Led by underwater explorer and filmmaker Nathalie Lasselin, volunteer divers are combing the riverbed near Beauharnois in Montérégie to remove hundreds of tires that have been polluting the aquatic environment for decades.

A sea lion swam free after a rescue team disentangled it near Vancouver Island earlier this week.

Local Spotlight

Cole Haas is more than just an avid fan of the F.W. Johnson Wildcats football team. He's a fixture on the sidelines, a source of encouragement, and a beloved member of the team.

Getting a photograph of a rainbow? Common. Getting a photo of a lightning strike? Rare. Getting a photo of both at the same time? Extremely rare, but it happened to a Manitoba photographer this week.

An anonymous business owner paid off the mortgage for a New Brunswick not-for-profit.

They say a dog is a man’s best friend. In the case of Darren Cropper, from Bonfield, Ont., his three-year-old Siberian husky and golden retriever mix named Bear literally saved his life.

A growing group of brides and wedding photographers from across the province say they have been taken for tens of thousands of dollars by a Barrie, Ont. wedding photographer.

Paleontologists from the Royal B.C. Museum have uncovered "a trove of extraordinary fossils" high in the mountains of northern B.C., the museum announced Thursday.

The search for a missing ancient 28-year-old chocolate donkey ended with a tragic discovery Wednesday.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is celebrating an important milestone in the organization's history: 50 years since the first women joined the force.

It's been a whirlwind of joyful events for a northern Ontario couple who just welcomed a baby into their family and won the $70 million Lotto Max jackpot last month.

Stay Connected