Election day in Ontario will soon be here. More than any other this particular election seems to have attracted the attention of the extreme right. Given the perceptible rise in the so-called “alt-right” movement it comes as no real surprise.

Recently, Vice News, the Canadian Anti-Hate network and Ricochet Media exposed the works of a notorious Canadian neo-Nazi podcaster, Thomas White from Thunder Bay Ont.

White’s “This Hour Has 88 minutes,” popular amongst the racist set, was taken down after he was exposed. However, in one of his final episodes where another uncovered Canadian neo-Nazi leader, “Zeiger” was a special guest, their support for Doug Ford was effusive:

“He’s really taken a page from the Trumpian book, even though he’s claiming when media puts his feet to the fire that he’s not a Trumpist, but he’s really following that playbook, and he’s saying the same sorts of things that invigorate the white working class. I think it’s only something to be excited about, even with reservations.”

Such “endorsements” need to be firmly and unequivocally rejected and indeed Ford did just that. Nonetheless, it leaves us wondering why such extremists are so taken with “Ford Nation.”

Then there are those who have supported common themes found within right-wing extremist ideology. Folks like Progressive Conservative candidate Andrew Lawton running in London, Ont., comes to mind. Lawton, who once shilled for hard right Rebel News, gladly repeated homophobic, Islamophobic and sexist tropes. More recently we discovered that Lawton believes it is perfectly fine to openly debate whether or not the Holocaust actually occurred.

Lawton has explained that he was going through mental health issues at the time and now regrets his former positions. The electorate will in the end decide if they believe him.

Politicians and those running for office must show great care not to associate themselves with groups and individuals that espouse or support extremist views.

For example, at a Christmas party last year, PC candidate Donna Skelley gave a “shout-out” to “Free Bird Media” an organization that gives voice to some of Canada’s most reviled white supremacists. Paul Fromm, the elder statesman of white nationalism, accused Islamophobic hatemonger Kevin Johnston and recent neo-Nazi apologist and supporter Faith Goldy, herself a former “Rebel” host fired for her sympathy and support of neo-Nazis in Charlottesville, have all been featured on “Free Bird Media.”

While hardly in the same league, there is also a mystery surrounding NDP candidate Tasleem Rais. An Adolf Hitler meme appeared on her social media site. She has expressed her shock, claiming she would never “knowingly” post such an offensive meme. Yet she has given no further explanation as to how it got there. Some supporters have claimed it was a dirty political trick by a troll from another party.

Ms. Rais has received admirable support as an inter-faith advocate from the Danforth Jewish Circle. However, to this date we still await an official explanation from the party or the candidate.

And what of PC Leader Doug Ford’s own dalliances with intolerance? From his candidates connected to the extreme right to Ford himself, who for close to two months welcomed and supported candidate Tanya Granic Allen, an anti-Muslim, anti-abortion homophobe. It was only after exposure of some ugly intolerant comments on social media which went viral that he finally fired her from the PC roster. In doing so he used the mildest of rebukes calling her hatred “irresponsible” instead of an outright condemnation.

Ford himself has engaged in sexist behaviour, has engaged in stereotyping Jews and has denounced a home for autistic children. He is also being publicly endorsed by two divisive religious leaders, Charles McVety and Paul Melnichuk, both of whom preach anti-Muslim and homophobic teachings and in Melnichuk’s case antisemitic tropes. Ford has even come out very publicly in strong support of the bigoted American President Donald Trump.

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This is a difficult time. White supremacists and racists are boldly making their presence felt in Ontario. Anti-Muslim demonstrations in Nathan Phillips Square and Parliament Hill have become almost commonplace. Swastikas have been found scrawled on schools and playgrounds in the GTA and just recently we have seen Wells Hills Park, in midtown Toronto, leafleted with Nazi slogans and antisemitic mantras.

White supremacy has always hovered on the fringes of our society but when their divisive and dark missives invade our airwaves, towns, neighbourhoods, parks, schoolyards and playgrounds, we need to take notice.

Today, more than ever, we need leaders who will embrace our differences and firmly reject racists and bigots not play footsy with them and their ideas. On June 7 Ontarians have an opportunity to show moral leadership. Let’s hope we do so.

Bernie M. Farber is a social justice advocate and writer. He is the former CEO of Canadian Jewish Congress and the Mosaic Institute.

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