CBC calls out the Conservatives version of "freedom":
Christian Noel / CBC
Poilievre's office maintains tight control over what Conservative MPs say and doParty staffers monitor caucus for signs of message indiscipline and fraternization with other MPsAfter two years of Pierre Poilievre as their leader, many Conservative MPs say they are much less free now than they were before his arrival.The man who promised during his leadership run to make Canada "the freest country in the world" maintains tight control over the actions of his caucus members.Normally loquacious Conservatives close up like oysters and dare not speak without their leader's approval. MPs are watched by Conservative staffers both inside and outside Parliament. Elected representatives are publicly called to order for deviating from the party line.Conservative MPs' words and actions are closely scrutinized by the leader's office. Partisanship is encouraged. Fraternizing with elected officials from other parties is a no-no.Those who follow these rules are rewarded. Those who don't often have to suffer consequences."There are always multiple people in the penalty box, there is always someone in trouble," one caucus member said."You don't need to be told what to do. You watch the leader and understand what's expected from you," one Conservative source said.
The further you get into this article, the creepier it gets:
It will be Canada's challenge too, if Poilievre ever becomes PM."You are celebrated in front of the entire caucus for being a good cheerleader. And you get more speaking time in the House and during question period."Those who refuse to parrot the lines lose their speaking time, another source added.It's radio silence at the entrance to Conservative caucus meetings these days. Every Wednesday morning, journalists throw questions at the arriving MPs. Almost all of them pass without answering; some avoid making eye contact with journalists.... Conservative Party staffers keep a close eye on MPs' activities — who's talking to reporters, who's deviating from the party line, who's fraternizing with MPs from other parties. Journalists have spotted party staffers taking notes and sources say these activities are reported to the leader's office."Everybody is being watched. What we say, what we do, who we talk to. We're told not to fraternize with MPs from the other parties. And that's not normal," a Conservative source said....Conservative staffers monitor MPs' interactions not only in the Commons chamber but also in the corridors of Parliament and at social events such as the Press Gallery dinner and the Speaker's garden party.Poilievre's press attaché was even spotted jotting down the names of Conservative MPs attending the Press Gallery dinner this spring. It's an event that Poilievre — who has strained relations with the Parliamentary Press Gallery — and most of his MPs have avoided for the past two years."We don't get told not to go, but we can see that the leader doesn't go, so we do the same. Otherwise, it would be frowned upon," said one Conservative source....Poilievre imposes iron discipline on himself. He works hard. He works late."We've been telling him for months that he needs to take a vacation, but he just won't listen," one source said."He's the one who decides everything. His main adviser is himself … The people around him are only there to realize the leader's vision."..."There's a very small circle around the leader. There's a lack of variety of opinion. That's our biggest challenge," said a Conservative source.
