Poilievre and the Conservatives are going after DEI again

In a new petition, the party is calling for a return of “merit”

Pierre Poilievre and the Conservative Party of Canada are going after DEI initiatives in what they’re calling a quest to restore “meritocracy.”

The Conservative Party of Canada has launched an online petition calling on Mark Carney’s Liberal government to end its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. It specifically calls out bureaucratic funding, research funding and “ideology” at post-secondary institutions. 

The petition was boosted by Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre on social media, writing “End DEI. Restore the merit principle.”

And while this is unlikely to tangibly change anything, all of this political blustering still matters and is worth paying attention to as another example of Poilievre and the Conservatives looking south of the border to get their policy ideas. 

We break down what you need to know.

Senior editor Mel Woods is an English-speaking Vancouver-based writer, editor and audio producer and a former associate editor with HuffPost Canada. A proud prairie queer and ranch dressing expert, their work has also appeared in Vice, Slate, the Tyee, the CBC, the Globe and Mail and the Walrus.

Read More About:
Politics, Video, Video, Analysis, Canada

Keep Reading

A view of the Olympic rings flag during the Men's Javelin Throw Qualification at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Will the IOC ban trans women from the Olympics?

While reports claim a ban on trans women athletes could take shape before the Winter Games in Milan, the decision likely won’t be made until next summer
Two kiss-in protests, one from 2002 at a New York Liberty Game and another in 1990.

The history of queer kiss-in protests

Kiss-ins have been used as a nonviolent form of activism since the 1970s

Jonathan Bailey is the first openly gay ‘Sexiest Man Alive’

The tight pants wearing “Wicked” star earned the honour this year. But what other sexy queers should get the nod one day?

Why are cis women suddenly into taking testosterone?

An emerging trend in wellness has women seeking out T to improve their sex lives or energy levels