Canadian Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre ruffled a few feathers when he failed to attend a Pride flag-raising ceremony in Ottawa to kick off the start of LGBTQ+ Pride Month.
Poilievre offered a simple explanation for his absence, saying that he was doing far more for the people of Canada if he addressed the issues they cared about rather than showing up to watch someone hoist a rainbow flag.
“I was working last night, until midnight, fighting against inflation and interest rate hikes, and that was my focus and will continue to be my focus,” Poilievre said when asked why he had not made it a point to attend the ceremony.
Canada’s Liberal Party created “Wanted” posters highlighting Poilievre’s absence at the flag-raising, mocking the Conservative Party leader and suggesting he didn’t want to attend unless he could wear a “straight pride” shirt.
Is it because he couldn’t wear a “straight pride” shirt? pic.twitter.com/fPRlRAaWtv
— Liberal Party (@liberal_party) June 3, 2024
But the “Wanted” poster appears to have backfired, as critics pointed out that it may not have done the damage the Liberal Party hoped it might — particularly because Poilievre’s own adoptive father is an openly gay man.
“Poilievre’s adoptive father is openly gay, as is one of Poilievre’s deputy leaders. The Liberal party, in its desperation, has absolutely hit the bottom of the barrel,” one pointed out.
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Poilievre’s adoptive father is openly gay, as is one of Poilievre’s deputy leaders. The Liberal party, in its desperation, has absolutely hit the bottom of the barrel. https://t.co/I4BIxqJLjl
— Jonathan Kay (@jonkay) June 4, 2024
“Fear mongering of a man whose own father is gay, whose deputy leader is gay and who is surrounded in friendship and work by openly proud gay men and women. It’s gross and indicative of all the Liberal Party has left to talk about,” another said.
Fear mongering of a man whose own father is gay, whose deputy leader is gay and who is surrounded in friendship and work by openly proud gay men and women.
It’s gross and indicative of all the Liberal Party has left to talk about. https://t.co/s21hOzeKQz
— Laryssa Waler 🌻 Лариса Валєр (@LWaler) June 4, 2024
“Another day, another excruciatingly infantile tweet from the party running this country,” said another.
Another day, another excruciatingly infantile tweet from the party running this country. https://t.co/lPbA5BhPsh
— Mia (@_CryMiaRiver) June 4, 2024
Poilievre has not committed to attending any Pride Month-related events, and when asked, his only comment on the issue was to wish “everyone a happy Pride month, because our freedom is something in which all of us can take pride.”