Politicians' homes off limits to protests

It’s a rare day when politicians from rival parties can agree on anything in these troubled and intractable times.

- MARTIN REGG COHN

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly speaks with reporters in December. Joly’s Montreal residence was the target of an organized anti-Israel protest last week, drawing stern rebuke from politicians of all stripes.

But for one fleeting moment, MPs from all sides of the aisle were on the side of Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly.

Not over Canada’s Middle East policy — they still disagree bitterly. All were agreed, however, on when — and where — those disagreements are utterly offside and absolutely off limits.

Joly’s Montreal residence — not a constituency office, nor the House of Commons — was targeted for an organized protest last week after her home address was publicized on promotional posters. That so many protesters would converge on her private home — not the House where she is held accountable in the daily question period — was enough to rally MPs, right and left, to her side.

They knew a line in the sand had been crossed at the snow-covered lawn outside Joly’s home.

Protesters had defiantly set up camp — erecting a pop-up canopy tent (courtesy of the Concordia Student Union), hoisting banners, unfurling flags, deploying megaphones and chanting anti-Israel slogans.