In a recent tweet, Canadian MP Kevin Vuong expressed concern that Canada has become a “safe haven for extremists” and warned that Canadians are “paying the price.” His remarks underscore a growing unease among Canadians who feel that extremism is penetrating the social fabric of their communities. Vuong highlights a disturbing trend: Indo-Canadians, like Jewish Canadians, are reportedly being attacked and gaslit—a reference to a pattern of incidents where cultural or religious minorities feel marginalized, threatened, or subjected to psychological manipulation. His call to “stand together” with Hindu and Jewish communities reflects the broader need to address the ideological fractures that extremism can drive into Canadian society.
Under @JustinTrudeau, 🇨🇦 has become a safe haven for extremists and Canadians are paying the price.
— Kevin Vuong (@KevinVuongMP) November 5, 2024
Hindu Canadians are being attacked & gaslit as Jewish Canadians have been.
Being a doormat is not a policy. We must #StandTogether with our Hindu & Jewish brothers and sisters. pic.twitter.com/xFDqjZHdBN
Canada has long prided itself on a multicultural ethos, a reputation for inclusivity, and a commitment to protecting individual freedoms. However, the rise in reported incidents targeting religious or ethnic minorities raises difficult questions about the limits of tolerance. In particular, what does it mean to create a safe and inclusive society when certain ideologies exploit this openness to sow division and hatred?
Vuong’s statement about Canada as a “doormat” suggests that some Canadians feel the government’s approach to extremism lacks strength. For years, Canada has welcomed those fleeing persecution and violence, offering refuge and support to people from around the world. Yet, this commitment to refuge must be balanced with safeguards that prevent the exploitation of Canadian hospitality to fuel agendas that undermine social cohesion. There are clear risks if extremism, regardless of its origin, is allowed to find sanctuary in Canada. Left unchecked, it risks creating fractures among communities, causing individuals to live in fear rather than trust their fellow citizens.
The recent spate of incidents targeting Indo-Canadians mirrors concerns from Jewish communities, where an increase in antisemitic incidents has been documented. Vuong’s tweet brings attention to these parallels, asserting that these communities share a common experience of being “gaslit” and marginalized. The concept of “gaslighting”—deliberate psychological manipulation intended to make someone doubt their reality—strikes a particular chord. It reflects the experiences of many who report feeling that their legitimate fears and concerns are dismissed, minimized, or even turned against them as “overreactions” or misunderstandings. This dynamic is particularly damaging, as it erodes trust not only between communities but also between citizens and the institutions meant to protect them.
Standing together, as Vuong urges, means recognizing that an attack on any community’s security, identity, or sense of belonging is a threat to the entire Canadian social fabric. It calls for a united stance that resists the divisive narratives extremism thrives on. This solidarity must be more than symbolic; it must translate into policies that foster a robust defense against extremism in all its forms while protecting freedoms and rights for all.
Vuong’s tweet is a reminder that Canada’s policies on inclusion and tolerance need constant reflection and adjustment. The country must not become a passive “doormat,” as Vuong puts it, nor should it abandon the values of openness and kindness that define it. Rather, it must take a proactive stance, ensuring that its commitment to safety and inclusivity is coupled with a resolute opposition to extremism. Only by doing so can Canada remain true to its ideals while standing firm against those who would exploit its generosity.
