Government House leader Karina Gould says it was inappropriate for one of her Liberal caucus colleagues to ask whether there is a link between Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and a fatal shooting in Manitoba.
But Metro Vancouver Liberal MP Ken Hardie told The Canadian Press that he stands by his social media post and is not sorry he made it.
Hardie posted Monday that the weekend shooting, which left four people dead in Winnipeg, was "beyond troubling" and asked if it was connected to a "burn everything down" attitude creeping in from the United States.
Well, well...feathers were ruffled and flying yesterday after I asked three questions about whether and how right-wing extremism was 'creeping' into Canada from the US and contributing to a rise in violence. Yes or no? But the issue needs a closer look: https://t.co/VrzbuIPefH
— Ken Hardie (@KenHardie) November 28, 2023
To those who've taken exception to the post calling out Pierre Poilievre for spreading rage and creating an environment that some take as permission to take anti-social acts. https://t.co/TkH6JuDfa1
— Ken Hardie (@KenHardie) November 28, 2023
His post on X, formerly known as Twitter, then referred to "the 'creep' on the Canadian side" and mentioned the official Opposition leader by name.
Hardie also denies making a direct link to the shooting in Winnipeg, but notes he could have used a better example to make his point.
A reaction to the reaction to my post yesterday: It was unacceptable on my part to leave any suggestion of a direct link to the tragedy in Winnipeg. There was not. For that, I apologize.
— Ken Hardie (@KenHardie) November 28, 2023
Hardie says he was planting a seed with a series of questions to confront the attitude of the Conservative party, which he believes is creating an environment where people feel hopeless.
Gould says she will be speaking to Hardie about his online post, but as of this morning Hardie says he hasn't heard from any of his fellow MPs.
