EDITORIAL: Hahn doubles down on hurtful rants

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Embattled Canadian Union of Public Employees National VP Fred Hahn has not just refused the request of his national executive to step down.

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He’s doubled down on his outspoken support of Hamas. And he’s collected a gaggle of leftists in support of his intransigence.

Ontario MPP Sarah Jama was tossed out of the NDP caucus for controversial pro-Palestinian statements she made after the October 7 mass killing and hostage-taking of Israelis by Hamas that triggered the conflict.

Also supporting Hahn is Sid Ryan, a long-time union boss and oft-failed NDP candidate.

Meanwhile, many in the broader membership of CUPE have expressed their dismay at Hahn’s vocal support for Hamas. Wesley Lesosky, President of the Air Canada component of CUPE, supported the national executive’s request that he step down. He pointed out Hahn’s statements put airline workers in harm’s way.

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“Being part of our union is about being part of a team, and Fred stopped being a team player a long time ago,” Lesosky said. “His reckless comments last October put our members who have to travel to the Middle East as part of their flight duties in the crosshairs and he has never apologized for his role in jeopardizing their safety.”

Hahn’s most outrageous post, since deleted, was an AI generated video, purporting to show an Israeli Olympic diver, who turns into a bomb as he enters the water, killing civilians.

This becomes more heinous when one considers the history of terror at the Olympics. In the 1972 Munich Games, Black September, a militant Palestinian group, broke into the Olympic village and murdered 11 Israeli athletes.

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It beggars belief that Hahn and his coterie of supporters cannot see how his offensive post was hurtful and distasteful, not just to Jews, but to all Canadians who support decency in public discourse and who oppose the tyranny and fear that terrorism sows.

Hahn’s union represents thousands of hard-working Canadians, from paramedics to flight attendants, many of whom want no part of his disgraceful rants. At a time of heightened tensions, true leaders try to calm the divisiveness, not ignite an inferno.

The more Hahn digs in his heels, the more he shames the people who pay his salary with their dues. They deserve better.

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