I attended an event Feb. 25 hosted by the Carleton Campus Conservatives at which Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, addressed a group of students about the future of conservatism in Canada.

In a spectacle that has become all too familiar, a group of extremists continually interrupted him by shouting out questions and then made every effort to prevent him from responding. They attacked him on his support for Israel, Parliament’s prorogation, and various other subjects — issues where one can have legitimate disagreements with the current government.

Yet to shout interruptions during a speech is tactless and impolite.

Minister Kenney, rather than leaving or simply ignoring the protesters, sought to engage directly with the objectors. He was willing to dialogue with his detractors. They were unfortunately more interested in making noise.

The whole incident reminded me of when I tried to ask a question during the recent Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA) elections about stoplight parties. With no conceivable justification, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) refused to allow my question. It made me think of how, whenever the current CUSA establishment has failed to get its way in elections, such as during last year’s executive races or this year’s council races, they have disqualified those with whom they do not agree.