When tragedies such as the tragic killing of George Floyd seize the public attention, we are offered an opportunity.

It's an opportunity to respond by offering real solutions and real reform that make life better for everyone, and ensure that these tragedies do not happen again.

We have a real opportunity to discuss real change.

This, unfortunately, has not happened.

Instead, we are seeing the discussion taken over by activists with radical proposals that will only make the problems we face worse.

The organization Black Lives Matter, for example, has used current public goodwill and earnest cries for justice by demanding that we “defund the police.”

Among their other demands? They want the “disruption” of the “Western-prescribed nuclear family structure.” 

As I have stated in my platform, I believe that the family is a cornerstone of society. We should be working to strengthen families, not weaken them.

I am all for a robust debate on how best to make Canada a nation where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and prosper in freedom and security. But removing the foundation of what makes a healthy society is no place to start.

So, while I believe that we must fight inequality, I cannot support a group like Black Lives Matter in totality, because I strongly disagree that their proposed actions will create meaningful solutions.

There are both historic and systemic reasons why Black families in North America are suffering, including the history of slavery, destructive welfare policies, and even crime bills put forward by Bill Clinton in the 90s.

But the inequality created by the impact on Black families does not mean we should destroy all families in order to create equality.

Destroying what should be the pillars of society is never the solution.

I can’t stand for the “disruption of the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure”, just as I can’t support disbanding the police force because of the actions of a select group of corrupt officers.

Justin Trudeau for his part has responded by stating that systemic racism plagues our police forces, just like his MPs have said that Canadians are racist. 

As always with our prime minister, talk is cheap: it is much easier for him to say what some want to hear and rake in sympathetic headlines than it is, for example, to finally ensure that all indigenous communities have clean drinking water.

Times like these call for real leadership with real solutions that will make the lives of real people better. 

Posturing is good for photo ops, and talk is good for Twitter likes. But it is time that Canadians got something much better than that: A leader who understands the issues and seeks to address them.

I promise to strengthen the Canadian family. I welcome all reasonable ideas to help strengthen all families, including single-parent households, and their communities.

And for the record - I will take real action to ensure clean drinking water for every First Nation community.

Let’s get serious and focus on real solutions to the problems in our society.

I always appreciate hearing feedback from CPC members. If you have any thoughts about what I've written today, click here to send me a quick note.