here's the thing: whether this is toxic or not, it is necessary that the left wins the debate. i'm not convinced it's quite that bad, really. but, even if it is, it doesn't matter. i'm willing to lose every election for the next thirty years. it's one of those issues that has a moral aspect to it that is more important than short-term politics.
i mean, you could have said something similar about the whigs, fighting against slavery. it was madness. did they want to start a civil war? well, it might not have been anybody's first choice, but the fact is that it had to happen.
so, you can look at this how you will. but the people fighting for the ideas in the manifesto will not stop until the tar sands are shut down. and, you're consequently going to have to get used to fighting us.
http://ipolitics.ca/2016/04/13/leap-will-kill-notleys-government-unless-she-turns-it-into-a-weapon/