Sarah Gabriel Barron Launches Baseless Smears Against Peace Advocates

Sarah Gabriel Barron, a former 2022 Green Party of Canada Leadership candidate, has lashed out at prominent left-wing anti-war activists Alex Tyrrell and Dimitri Lascaris, accusing them of spreading “Putin’s propaganda” and “celebrating the death of Ukrainians.” Her comments, posted on social media, misrepresent their positions and echo the rhetoric used to silence those who oppose NATO’s continued military escalation.

Misrepresenting the Anti-War Position

Barron’s statement is a textbook example of a bad-faith attack against those advocating for diplomacy over war. She falsely claims that Tyrrell and Lascaris believe all Ukrainians are Nazis and that they celebrate Ukrainian deaths. These accusations are not only inaccurate but also inflammatory, designed to shut down legitimate debate rather than engage with the concerns being raised.

Tyrrell and Lascaris have consistently argued for peace negotiations and diplomacy, warning against the dangers of prolonged war and military escalation. Both have said that Ukrainians are being used as cannon fodder in NATO’s proxy war against Russia. They have also pointed out the uncomfortable reality that some elements of the Ukrainian military and political establishment have ties to far-right ultranationalist groups, a fact that is well-documented and has even been acknowledged by mainstream Western media.

Barron’s suggestion that merely acknowledging these facts equates to “celebrating the death of Ukrainians” is a gross distortion of reality. Instead of addressing concerns about NATO’s role in the conflict or the consequences of ongoing military escalation, she resorts to personal attacks and emotional manipulation.

Baron has so far refused to apologize or retract her controversial comments 

Ignoring Freeland’s Controversial Record

Barron’s defense of Chrystia Freeland, who has well-documented family ties to Nazi collaborators and has publicly supported far-right Ukrainian nationalists, is particularly striking. She insists that “Freeland is not a Neo-Nazi,” while ignoring the Green Party co-leader’s troubling history of promoting Ukrainian nationalism, brushing aside concerns about her grandfather’s role as editor of a Nazi propaganda newspaper, and applauding a former member of a Nazi unit in Parliament.

Rather than engage in an honest discussion about Freeland’s political record, Barron chooses to attack those who raise concerns, accusing them of siding with dictatorship and genocide. This kind of rhetoric is designed to deflect from uncomfortable truths rather than refute them.

A Pattern of Silencing Dissent

The most troubling aspect of Barron’s comments is how they mirror the broader trend of suppressing dissent on the war in Ukraine. Across Canada and much of the Western world, those who advocate for peace talks or criticize NATO’s role in prolonging the war are labeled as “pro-Putin” or “Kremlin propagandists,” even when their positions are based on historical context and well-established geopolitical concerns.

Barron’s attack follows this script perfectly. Instead of engaging with the arguments Tyrrell and Lascaris have made about the need for peace negotiations, she attempts to smear them as apologists for war crimes, a claim with no basis in reality.

Where Does the Green Party Stand?

It remains to be seen whether the Green Party of Canada will distance itself from Barron’s inflammatory comments or if they will continue to tolerate this kind of discourse. Under the leadership of Elizabeth May and Jonathan Pedneault, the party has moved sharply toward militarism, supporting increased military spending and taking an aggressive stance against Russia.

By allowing figures like Barron to frame anti-war voices as extremists, the Green Party risks alienating the very progressives and peace activists who once formed the core of its support. If the party still values diplomacy and dialogue, it must reject the kind of smear tactics and divisive rhetoric that Barron has put forward.

At a time when the need for peace and de-escalation has never been greater, attacking those who advocate for diplomacy is not just dishonest—it is dangerous.

Baron finished last in the Green Party of Canada’s leadership race with 4% of the vote.