Still the Exception? The Ascent of Right-Wing Populism(s) in Canada
The notion of Canadian “exceptionalism” has become a mainstay in the expanding literature on populism. According to research, a combination of forces – including regionalism, party political strategies deriving from the first-past-the-post electoral system, and the significance of multiculturalism to public policy and identity – have hindered the nationwide success of right-wing populist movements in Canada. Yet, the recent ascent of right-wing parties (e.g., People’s Party of Canada, Conservative Party of Quebec), leaders (e.g., Pierre Poilievre, Danielle Smith), and movements (e.g., the “Freedom Convoy”) who use populist rhetoric to foster antagonism between the “people” and the “elite” belies this tale of exceptionalism.
This interdisciplinary panel offers a timely opportunity to reflect on the what, the why, and the how of right-wing Canadian populisms. Featured works highlight a range of themes, including: the supply and demand factors that enable and impede populism in provincial and federal politics, the salience of nativism and anti-immigrant sentiment to populist political movements in Canada, and the implications of emerging populisms on the Canadian landscape of rights (including linguistic, religious, and reproductive) and legality.
This is a joint session of the Canadian Sociological Association and the Canadian Political Science Association.
Panelists
Emily Laxer, York University
F. Guillaume Dufour, Université du Québec à Montréal
Kelly Gordon, McGill University
Brian Budd, University of Guelph
Bessma Momani, University of Waterloo
Jean-Francois Belanger, University of Waterloo
