Elysia Christodoulopoulos – News Editor

On Sept. 10, American conservative commentator and influencer Charlie Kirk was assassinated on the campus of Utah Valley University, where he had been debating college students. His death came just months after the killing of Melissa Hortman, Speaker of the Minnesota House, who was found murdered in her home earlier this year. These high-profile assassinations—alongside multiple reported attempts on the life of the U.S. President—have many asking: Is political division becoming too dangerous to ignore?

Graphic courtesy of Elysia Christodoulopoulos

Though these events occurred in the United States, their impact is felt across borders. As political violence rises south of the border, Canadians are increasingly aware of how polarization, online extremism, and misinformation can threaten democracy – inciting violence not only in other countries, but at home too.

Kirk, known for his controversial views and large social media presence, had long been touring American university campuses. His events often drew both supporters and protesters. Despite a petition of nearly 1,000 signatures, the university encouraged his presence in the name of “[committing] to free speech and institutional neutrality,” according to CNN. Kirk was fatally shot minutes into the event. The FBI investigation is ongoing, with the suspected killer in custody. No motive has been determined as of yet.

Melissa Hortman, a prominent Democratic politician, was similarly targeted in what officials have called a politically motivated attack. Her and her husband’s murder shocked Minnesota politics and renewed national attention on threats to elected officials.

In Canada, while we haven’t seen comparable political assassinations in recent years, the atmosphere is not without concern. In 2022, CBC News reported that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was forced to cancel campaign events due to aggressive protests. In 2023, Global News shared that the RCMP had launched an investigation into the verbal attacks on Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland in Alberta. And earlier this year, multiple Members of Parliament reported receiving death threats, with CBC sharing that “harassment of MPs spiked almost 800% in 5 years,” as many receive panic buttons for their safety.

These incidents have led many to reflect on the growing toxicity of political discourse — not just in Parliament, but on social media and even in everyday conversations. While Canada is often seen as having a more stable and polite political culture, recent years have shown that we are not immune to division or extremism.

Media response to the recent U.S. assassinations has been mixed, but all outlets are highlighting the growing security concerns for public officials. CBC News published an article two days after Kirk’s assassination, reporting that Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre expressed fear for his family’s safety “as political violence concerns grow in the U.S. and Canada.”

Both American and Canadian leaders have called for calm and unity. “There is no justification for political violence, and every act of it threatens democracy,” Prime Minister Mark Carney wrote on X, Sept. 10. Many others joined him and commented on the political climate we find ourselves in. Senator Bernie Sanders, in a YouTube video posted Sept. 11, listed eight acts of political violence—most occurring in recent years. “This chilling rise in violence has targeted public officials across the political spectrum,” Sanders stated.

As university students, we might feel far removed from these events, but they remind us that democracy isn’t something we can take for granted. It relies on respectful disagreement, informed citizenship, and a shared belief in peaceful solutions.

So, the question stands — not just for Americans, but for all of us: Are we becoming too divided to move forward together?

Bishop’s University offers a 24/7 helpline for students in need at 1-833-628-5589. More information at BU SRC Empower Me.