Poilievre condemns ‘racist’ views of far-right German politician who met Tory MPs
Global News
Three Conservative MPs were photographed after having dinner with a member of the Alternative for Germany party, a right-wing populist party that opposes immigration.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre denounced a German politician after several Tory MPs were criticized for meeting with her while she was in Canada this week.
Conservative MPs Dean Allison, Colin Carrie and Leslyn Lewis were photographed having dinner with Christine Anderson, a member of the European Parliament.
She represents the Alternative for Germany party, a right-wing populist party that opposes immigration. Parts of the party were put under surveillance as a suspected extremist group by Germany’s intelligence agency in 2021.
The chair of the Canadian Anti-Hate Network and at least two Canadian Jewish organizations expressed concern about the MPs having dinner with Anderson.
In a written statement responding to the concerns Friday Poilievre said Anderson’s views are “vile” and that her “racist, hateful views are not welcome here.”
“The MPs were not aware of this visiting member of the European Parliament’s opinions, and they regret meeting with her. Frankly, it would be better if Anderson never visited Canada in the first place,” the statement said.
The three MPs said in their own statement that it is not uncommon to meet with visiting elected officials from other countries.
