Speaking of western Ukrainian representation in Canada's parliament - deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland (Trudeau's second in command) visited my home town of Grande Prairie Alberta last Friday and was verbally accosted by a angry local man while entering an elevator at City Hall.
Here is a short clip of the interaction (
Strong language warning)
and here is the story from the Western Standard...
Thousands of people denounced the "attack" on Freeland on Twitter saying it was "shameful" and "disgusting."
www.westernstandard.news
For context, Freeland publicly shares the PM claims that anti-lockdown and vaxx mandate protestors are "extremist Canadians with unacceptable views" and she was one the main forces behind closing the bank accounts of freedom convey protestors last winter.
What is most interesting about the news cycle related to this short but vitriolic exchange is that public opinion from people living in urban centres mirrors that of politicians and the media, in that the confrontation was an example of far-right extremism and toxic masculinity. But looking at many of the public comments from GP city facebook groups, shows that a good majority of local folks agree and support the man in the video, saying that (strong language aside) Freeland pretty much had it coming because of her and her government's actions over the past couple years.
I think this highlights the vast disconnect between the power centres in Ottawa and the hard working rural conservative mindset in much of western Canada. It also shows how angry most people are with the government, and could portend an escalation of such situations if things continue on as they are.