Selective Outrage: Why Craig Sauvé’s Palestinian Outeach Reeks of Political Hypocrisy

Image Credit, Suave social media feed

City councillor and NDP Candidate, Craig Sauvé continues to find himself at the center of controversy over the simple inclusion of a Palestinian flag on his campaign brochure. Critics have been quick to label this as anti-Semitic and un-Canadian, accusations that highlight a glaring hypocrisy in Canadian politics. This kind of overreaction is a distraction from real issues, especially considering how frequently politicians engage in cultural symbolism without consequence. Why is Sauvé being singled out for something that other politicians do regularly?

It’s a common occurrence in Canadian politics to see leaders and MPs visiting religious sites, attending cultural festivals, and posing with foreign flags. These gestures are part of the political playbook, designed to signal support for various ethnic communities. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and Liberal MP Anthony Housefather, for example, have been photographed numerous times with the Israeli flag, yet no one accused them of divisiveness. The inconsistency in how such actions are received is telling, as similar symbols from various communities are often treated very differently.

In fact, there’s an entire department within the federal government dedicated to alerting members of parliament and ministers about important cultural events, independence days, and festivals in minority communities. This department not only encourages but often insists that MPs attend these events, participate in photo ops, and take out ads in ethnic publications to show they are engaged with these communities. It’s political theatre, but it’s also business as usual. So, the uproar over Sauvé’s brochure reeks!

What makes the criticism even more misplaced is that “anti-Semitic” is a serious charge, one that should not be thrown around lightly. The word has been used too casually in this case, diluting its meaning and hurting those who are genuine allies of both Jewish and Palestinian communities. People like Sauvé, who stand for peace and inclusivity, are being unfairly labelled simply for recognizing the identity of a marginalized group. If we are going to call out one politician for such actions, then we must hold all politicians to the same standard.

This whole controversy is set against the backdrop of a fiercely contested by-election in LaSalle–Émard–Verdun. The race, sparked by the resignation of former Justice Minister David Lametti, has drawn 92 candidates, turning it into an unpredictable battleground. For years, this seat has been a Liberal stronghold, but the Liberals and Conservatives now find themselves on shaky ground, particularly as neither has effectively engaged with Montreal’s large Palestinian community.

Both parties are losing support over their inadequate handling of foreign policy, especially concerning the Middle East. The Liberals, despite their once-strong grip on the riding, have alienated key voters, leaving an opening for the NDP. From the outset, the NDP has taken a firm stance on calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages, focusing on a platform centred around peace and justice. This direct engagement with the actual concerns of these communities may very well turn the tide in their favour.

Meanwhile, politicians like Sauvé are accused of using the crisis in Gaza as a political tool. But this ignores the reality that political figures across the spectrum regularly engage in symbolic gestures for political gain. Justin Trudeau’s now infamous trip to India, where he donned traditional South Asian attire, drew widespread ridicule for its tone-deafness. Yet, this kind of performative engagement is standard practice in Canadian politics, where symbolism often substitutes for substantive engagement.

Montreal’s Palestinian community, like many others, is tired of the same empty gestures from both the Liberals and the Conservatives. Their frustration with Canada’s disastrous foreign policy on the Middle East, combined with the perception that they are being ignored by the political mainstream, has left them looking for alternatives. Sauvé and the NDP have emerged as a viable choice for these disillusioned voters, as they offer a focus on real issues rather than symbolic pandering.

In a city with one of Canada’s largest Palestinian populations, the political landscape is shifting. The outrage over a flag on a brochure is just a symptom of a much deeper disconnect between mainstream parties and their communities. While the major parties rely on symbolic gestures and photo ops to maintain visibility, they fail to address the core issues that matter to voters. The problem isn’t Sauvé’s brochure; it’s the larger hypocrisy of a political system that uses cultural engagement as a prop, rather than a genuine commitment to the communities it seeks to represent.

As this by-election unfolds, the stakes are high for all involved. For the Liberals and Conservatives, it’s a fight to retain relevance in an increasingly disillusioned electorate. For the NDP, it’s an opportunity to make significant inroads by offering a platform that reflects the concerns of those who feel abandoned by the mainstream. If Sauvé and the NDP succeed, it will mark a major shift away from the old, stale playbook of symbolic politics.

Ultimately, we cannot continue to apply one set of rules for some politicians and another for others. The criticism of Sauvé is not only unfair, but it also highlights the selective outrage that dominates the political discourse in Canada. If we are going to scrutinize politicians for engaging with certain communities, then we need to be consistent in applying those standards across the board. Otherwise, we risk further dividing our already fractured society and undermining the very principles of fairness and equality that Canadian democracy is supposed to uphold.

The by-election in LaSalle–Émard–Verdun is more than just a race for a parliamentary seat—it’s a reflection of the shifting dynamics in Canadian politics. And in this race, the old rules no longer apply.