I haven't heard the "racists and extremists" story yet, but it strikes me as extremist in its own right, like labeling the Trudeau Liberals as "communists". Mindless mudslinging from the cheap seats.
One than that is apparent is that Mr. Poilievre's popularity has built up some serious momentum, he is gifted at stirring the emotional pot and tugging the right strings to get good turnouts at his rallies. His cries to "bring back freedom" and "remove the gatekeepers" are obviously doing something to appeal to the uncertainties and frustrations of our times, but the cynic in me can't help but notice that his speeches are devoid of any effective policy proposals, or perhaps even worse, contain hints at proposals that could do more damage than good.
We are in for a few months of great political spectator sport for sure, and it will be intersting to see who ends up leading the CPC, and what the LPC does to react, but we shouldn't lose fact that what we are watching is politics, and what plays out for you and me in the end will likely not bear much resemblance to the stuff that is pouring past politician's lips right now.
The reality of it is that government has spent a boatload of money keeping things afloat during the pandemic, that bill will come due right snappy and will likely be felt to some degree by everyone. Next, environmental issues are in the spotlight, something real needs to be done, we are past the time of half measures, that's going to hurt too as anyone who drives will be part of that plan, along with the corporate polluters who have danced away from playing their part for decades. We will have to look at wealth distribution as people are learning that the social and real costs of not paying attention to inequality are no longer hidden.