HRM Votes: Mayoral Candidate Riley Murphy’s Wide Ranging Notebook Q & A
By Andrew Macdonald
There are 16 candidates running for HRM Mayor, one includes former media personality Riley Murphy.
Murphy is a ‘wild card’ in the race because he is positioning his campaign as holding Red Tory views.
But, on social media, he is being accussed of being friends with extremists, including the group Diagolon.
The Internet says “Diagolon is a Canadian alt-right organization, conceived by podcaster Jeremy MacKenzie. The US Department of State’s Bureau of Counterterrorism has called it a far-right extremist group.”
Murphy admits to meeting MacKenzie, who had protested outside the home of Nova Scotia’s chief medical doctor, Dr. Robert Strang.
Given social media posts linking Riley Murphy to far right extremist groups, and attacking his personal view point, The Macdonald Notebook has conducted a wide ranging Q & A session with Murphy.
Former broadcaster Riley Murphy is running for Mayor of HRM. (contributed).
There were no conditions set on the interview and the questions appear with the unedited answers from Riley Murphy.
Murphy is a ‘wild card’ in the race, because he labels hismelf a Red Tory – fiscally conservative with socio liberal views.
Andy Fillmore is the former Liberal MP who needs Tory support to win the race.
Below is the Q and A with Riley Murphy. The questions are from The Macdonald Notebook, and the answers are from Murphy:
1. You told me you are leaning fiscal conservative but more liberal on socio issues. That definition would make you a Red Tory. Are you positioning your Mayoral Campaign to get Tory voter support?
Correct. Right now our candidates are all leaning to the left, there are very few issues they differ on. Both sides are needed for a functioning society and I will be the candidate that can and will work across the isle. Municipal issues should steer clear away from party issues and that will always be my main goal in governing. We must do what’s best for the people of HRM and not what’s best for any party.
2. Do you believe the attacks on your character on social media, Redditt are being driven by Fillmore Liberals with “fake” accounts?
I believe there were a lot of bad faith actors involved in this, and that it was basically a set up to begin with. The outcome was predetermined no matter what we said so why not make headlines.
3. Your post mentions you are being attacked over marrying a Muslim. Did you convert to Islam?
Yes, I did a few years back.
4. If so, are the strong character attacks against you on Reddit being driven by racism and Islamphobism?
I wouldn’t say racism as they are believing I’m a white man (not fully the truth), although they had horrendous attacks on my wife who is Iraqi-Kuati but lived in our province for nearly 25 years. Islamophobia has played a huge role in the attacks claiming I’m unfit for office because it goes against my religion to shake a woman’s hand, another comment said that Islam goes against Canadian values. This is religious discrimination that violates our charter rights.
5. Do you hold personal extremist views?
Of course not. If I am who they have claimed I am, why would I be married to an Arab woman? Why would I spend so much time in places of worship with immigrants? It’s a baseless claim used to discredit anyone who poses a threat to the status quo.
6. You mention you are friends with folk that some media have labelled as extremist, and that these personal friends that you associate with should NOT be the factor in folk voting for you, that your actions on issues is how voters should judge you, please elaborate?
I have friends of all walks of life, they represent all points of view. We shouldn’t shun anyone for their beliefs. The media is lying about these so-called “extremists”. Their only charge is wrong think and mine guilt by association. There are people who won’t vote for me because of my religion, or because of the race of my wife or official agent. Would they be considered “extremists” for their views? I believe one of the reasons this is coming up is because it will topple the narrative that has been given to my friends. If they are called these awful names, yet my wife and I associate with them, then there must be more to the story than is being told. My ideas are for the greater good of Halifax, not any one group of people, and if you take the time to listen to me rather than dismiss me for who I associate with, then you are doing an equal disservice to yourself as you are to me. If we are to judge a person by the company that we keep, then it would be fair to say that every individual is a bad person.
7) Do you support mass vaccinations against infectious diseases like Covid19?
No, everyone has the right to make their own medical decisions. You should be free to take it if you wish, or to say no.
8) Have you been vaccinated against Covid 19?
I don’t disclose personal medical information.
9) Do you own any firearms?
No, I do not.
10) Have you even engaged in any acts of public civil disobedience?
Yes, I have. I believe it is every citizen’s duty to stand up against what they think is wrong in society. In Canada we have the right to protest. This is part of democracy and we need to uphold this right.
11) Do you think there is a political elite in Canada that could send the country toward a collapse of society?
It may not be purposeful, but current decisions being made are leading us down a dark path. The direction Canada is going does indicate there are political elites at play; however, my focus is on our people and what we can control.
12) Would you describe any of our current political leaders as pursuing policies that you would consider destructive toward Canada?
Yes. Our immigration policies have been a nightmare to both the Canadian citizen and those coming here in search of a better life. We are bringing in people from all over the globe on a promise of opportunity and hope, but once they get here they realize it was a lie. The immigrants are working low paying jobs, living in poor conditions, stuck here on contracts that if they break they need to pay a fine. Our infrastructure can’t handle our current population, we don’t have enough housing, and our healthcare is quickly degrading. Then we are subsidizing businesses to hire immigrants, mainly in low paying positions that our youth would be in. It causes a divide in our society and contributes to racism.
As you may know Andrew, bill C-18 (Online news act) removed Canadian news from social media such as Meta (Facebook/Instagram). When working in the media industry this bill cost my company thousands of dollars to which they still haven’t fully recovered.
The federal carbon tax has put a significant strain on the average Canadian and supply chains. Cost of living is through the roof as it is, and decisions like these are causing an increase in poverty.
13) How would you rate the last 9 years of Justin Trudeau’s period as Prime Minister?
Very poorly. If you ask the average Canadian their standards of living has significantly declined over these last 9 years. We all see it, we all feel it, and if you want to know what the average Canadian feels about Trudeau, just take a look at all the bumper stickers around.
14) Do you support rights for trans people?
I support the rights of every group to exist free of harassment. Our society needs to allow everyone to be themselves without persecution, or else we have failed.
15) Have you ever met Jeremy Mackenzie, the Diagolon leader?
Yes, I have met Jeremy Mackenzie. To call him the “Diagolon leader” is a farce. This is a fictitious country, part of podcast lore that means nothing to anyone outside of his viewers and haters. RCMP and CSIS can’t define this boogeyman and they have documents that prove it is nothing what you think it is. These documents can be found on hategate.ca. Jeremy is a wonderful man that has served our country and is severely misunderstood due to attacks by the media. He has had his life turned upside down for standing up for himself.
16) Do you support the decision by the federal government to reduce the number of international students issued permits to study in Canada?
Yes, I do. Again our infrastructure is already overburdened, to add more people without fixing the current issues hurts Canadians and international students.
17) Who do you think is a better president of the United States in terms of the country’s future relationship with Canada, Kamala Harris or Donald Trump?
I would say that would depend on who our next leader will be. If Trudeau – Harris. If Poilievre – Trump. Simply because of where they line up party wise. Regardless of who becomes president in the US, it should not impact our focus on Canadian issues.
Riley Murphy also released a post in response to Reddit posts that he is friends with extremists members of society. That post, verbatim, below:
Riley Murphy statement:
Press Release: Riley Murphy Responds to Unfounded Allegations Following Reddit AMA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Halifax, NS — [September 25] — Riley Murphy, candidate for mayor of Halifax Regional Municipality, has found himself at the center of an online controversy following his recent Reddit Ask Me Anything (AMA) session. During the event, users circulated photos of Murphy with friends that some have deemed controversial, attempting to tarnish his reputation through guilt by association. These allegations are based on baseless claims and appear to discriminate against Murphy for his religious beliefs.
Murphy’s team has swiftly responded to the situation, emphasizing that the candidate remains committed to his campaign values of unity, inclusivity, and service to the community.
“I have always stood by my belief that people should be judged by their actions, not the company they keep,” Murphy said in response to the claims. “These accusations are entirely unfounded and have no bearing on the values I hold or my vision for Halifax. I will not allow divisive and discriminatory rhetoric to distract us from the important work we need to do for our city.”
Murphy’s supporters have called out the discriminatory nature of the claims, pointing to an attempt to smear his character based on his personal faith and associations. The candidate’s campaign remains focused on tackling the critical issues facing Halifax, including housing affordability, homelessness, and public safety.
Murphy’s campaign team reiterates that they will not engage in fear-mongering tactics, instead focusing on positive community-building efforts and advocating for every resident’s right to be heard and respected. It is shameful that people in Halifax still hold Islamaphobic views.
About Riley Murphy
Riley Murphy is running for mayor of Halifax Regional Municipality with a platform focused on restoring community pride, ensuring safe neighborhoods, and improving the quality of life for all residents. His campaign centers on making city government more accessible, efficient, and inclusive.
