October 1st, 2023 | Steve Parker

Karina Gould Needs To Be Fired

Voters in Burlington need to show their true character.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I implore you to ponder the recent actions of your representative, Karina Gould, and decide whether she truly embodies the values and principles of the honourable residents of Burlington. Let us not forget that Burlington, a gem of Ontario, has a rich history and a populace that is known for its commitment to peace, goodwill, and justice. Does Karina Gould's recent conduct align with these deeply-held values? I daresay, it does not.

The character of a person, especially that of a public figure, is reflected in the people they choose to associate with.

To put it bluntly, Mrs. Gould's recent act of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with a literal World War II SS Nazi, named Yaroslav Hunka, is nothing short of a betrayal of the values that our beloved country stands for. The SS, the paramilitary organization under Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Party, was responsible for some of the most heinous crimes against humanity during the Second World War.

Gould is pictured below proudly posing with Hunka, along with the former Speaker.

Mrs. Gould, as a representative of the people and a member of the Liberal Party, should have been well aware of the message her actions would send. She should have been aware that Hunka was a Nazi. We have to question whether someone who opts to take a photo with and applaud an individual linked to such a vile organization is fit to represent the people of Burlington.

Some of this hearkens back to how Liberals reacted to Pierre Poilievre posing with someone wearing a green straight pride t-shirt. Perhaps, holding Gould accountable for this fits her own strategy and is more than fair game.

Now, don't get me wrong. I am well aware of Gould's achievements. Her being the youngest woman to serve as a Cabinet Minister in Canadian history is indeed remarkable. Her service as the Minister of Democratic Institutions, followed by her role as the Minister of International Development, is slightly commendable. However, one's achievements should not exonerate them from their actions that are a mockery of the values that their constituents uphold.

Gould has been criticized for her lack of experience and her lack of knowledge about the issues facing her riding. Burlington is a diverse and multicultural community, with a large number of immigrants and a growing business sector. Gould has been accused of not being knowledgeable about these issues and not being able to effectively represent her constituents. This has raised concerns about her ability to effectively represent the interests of her riding in Ottawa.

She has been criticized for her lack of transparency and her unwillingness to engage with the public. In 2019, she was accused of avoiding questions from journalists and members of the public about her role in the government's response to the SNC-Lavalin scandal.

In 2015, Gould deleted a tweet in which she disparaged Canada's oil and gas industry, calling the backbone of Alberta's economy “tar sands”.

Her appointment as the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons is certainly a position of great responsibility. It requires a person of strong moral fibre, someone who can lead by example. Yet, by her actions, Mrs. Gould has painted a picture of herself that is far from the ideal.

Burlington deserves a representative who will uphold and fight for their values, not someone who muddies them with their questionable alliances. The choice before you in the next election is not simply about political allegiances or party lines, it is about the soul of Burlington.

I tell you, those Tory chaps in Burlington have been nipping at her heels like a pack of hounds after a fox, coming within a hair's breadth of victory. The previous rounds have seen them just a smidgen, a mere few percentage points, away from beating her. Burlington could be a true contest of wills, a game of political chess! Don't you dare for a second believe that it's a lost cause, not by a long shot. Conservatives have a real chance in Burlington.

In 2015, the Conservative candidate was a mere 2,500 votes shy of defeating Gould. With opinion polls showing Liberal prospects shrinking in Ontario, the next election offers real promise for Conservatives.

Now, let me tell you, the key to giving her the old heave ho in the upcoming election lies in the hands of we, the voters. It's a matter of discipline, my good fellows—discipline and unity. We've got to rally our forces, stick together like a disciplined regiment of the Queen's Guard. Every vote counts. If we can get the good people of Burlington to stand firm, to cast their votes with conviction and purpose, Karina won't stand a chance. So, let's muster our resources, let's unite under the banner of Conservatism, and let's show her that the game's afoot!