TL;DR:

The article attributes the ongoing protests and radical behaviors in Canada to former Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s campaign finance changes, which encouraged anger-driven fundraising and extremism within the Conservative Party. Restoring the per-vote subsidy could help realign Canadian politics by tying financial support to popular votes, while also recommending social media regulation to curb misinformation.

Synopsis:

The ongoing protests in Ottawa and similar incidents at Canadian border crossings have spurred discussions about responsibility. While some blame Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for his lack of leadership, others point fingers at the Conservatives for enabling radical behavior. The police have also been criticized for their inadequate handling of the situation. However, the piece argues that former Prime Minister Stephen Harper is a lesser-discussed contributor due to his changes in campaign finance policy.

In 2011, Harper’s government phased out the per-vote subsidy introduced by the Liberals in 2004. This change benefited the Conservatives at the time, given their strength in small-dollar donations after corporate and union donations were banned. This strategy aimed to gain an upper hand over the Liberals. However, it led to an unintended consequence where Conservatives relied heavily on anger-driven fundraising.

According to strategist Kyle Olsen, this method created a feedback loop that alienated the party from mainstream politics, resulting in increased influence of fundraising consultants motivated by financial rather than strategic goals. This approach has fueled internal party divisions, especially relevant as the party navigates its leadership race. The current climate favors candidates like Pierre Poilievre, whose positions appeal to more extreme voices within the party, partly due to fundraising strategies that thrive on anger.

The success of crowdfunding campaigns that supported the Ottawa protests before being halted by authorities demonstrates the potency and risks of current fundraising dynamics. The idea that the Conservative Party can return to moderation seems bleak under these conditions. The article suggests that the Liberal government has a role in addressing the systemic issues underlying these political dynamics, particularly by combatting misinformation and adjusting the financial incentives in politics.

Reintroducing the per-vote subsidy, as the article recommends, could realign political funding with popular support and help the Conservative Party mitigate its drift toward extreme ideologies. This measure might also stabilize Canadian politics even if it temporarily benefits the Conservatives. Social media companies also face scrutiny for their role in amplifying misinformation and should be held accountable as part of a broader effort to restore a healthy political culture.