The Conservative Party's use of the phrase "barbaric cultural practices" Friday quickly met with scorn by some on Twitter, who mocked a proposed tip line to report such practices in Canada.
Chris Alexander, the Conservative immigration minister, first spoke about “barbaric practices overseas” to discuss a proposed program to prevent child- and forced-marriages.
Conservative candidate Kellie Leitch then spoke about a possible RCMP tip line for citizens to report "barbaric cultural practices in Canada."
And Jason Kenney, the Conservatives' current defence minister, used similar language the same morning in speaking about the face-covering niqab. "This practice of face covering reflects a misogynistic view of women which is grounded in medieval tribal culture," he said.
Spurred by all this talk of barbarians and medieval culture, Twitter exploded with so-called "reports" under the hashtag #BarbaricCulturalPractices.
Men wearing socks in sandals. Where's the tip line? #BarbaricCulturalPractices #elxn42 pic.twitter.com/aIrgNBxyee
— Peter Bailey (@Libarbarian) October 2, 2015
Canucks trading a goalie in his prime #BarbaricCulturalPractices
— Penultimate Squire (@penultsquire) October 2, 2015
#BarbaricCulturalPractices I would like to report a barbarian. If only there were a tip line I could call. pic.twitter.com/dhrsgBuMIx
— emily sinclair (@emilysinclair) October 2, 2015
#BarbaricCulturalPractices, aka #CdnNiqab #elxn42 pic.twitter.com/l6jjkHf5bi
— Fern Hill (@fernhilldammit) October 2, 2015
"Don't like the strange cooking smells in your apartment hallway? Call this number." #BarbaricCulturalPractices
— TSRHG (@TSRHG) October 2, 2015
Calgary Stampede.. #BarbaricCulturalPractices pic.twitter.com/fDq33puT3d
— Pumpkin Spice Jim (@thejimpster) October 2, 2015
While many were humourous and filled with Conan references, other tweets were not so light-hearted.
Civil rights protections for trans people being laughed off when so many are dying or destitute. #BarbaricCulturalPractices #cdnpoli
— Taylor Lewis, BFA (@Taylewd) October 2, 2015
Strip mining polluting water table for generations poision people with chemicals that seperate oil from tar sands #BarbaricCulturalPractices
— Cameron Murphy (@cameronpmurphy) October 2, 2015
I'd like to report being forced into marriage by my Catholic parents after giving birth at age 17 #BarbaricCulturalPractices #CPChotline
— Maritimemaggie (@maritimemaggie) October 2, 2015
"Hello, #BarbaricCulturalPractices hotline? My government's Minister for the Status of Women is opposed to a woman's right to choose" #elx42
— Luke Savage (@LukewSavage) October 2, 2015
Hey @pmharper do residential schools, Islamophobia, and race-baiting count as #BarbaricCulturalPractices? Asking for a friend.
— Ben Powless (@BenPowless) October 2, 2015
Muzzling scientists #BarbaricCulturalPractices
— brenda cossman (@BrendaCossman) October 2, 2015
You know what are #BarbaricCulturalPractices? Ignoring the plight of Missing and Murdered Aboriginal women for YEARS. YEARS.
— Andrew K. (@prenerk) October 2, 2015
