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The Erosion of Truth: How MAGA/Russian Funded Disinformation Changed Canadian Democracy Forever

Jan 10, 2025

This “51st State” bullshit has been going on for YEARS.

In recent years, Canada has faced an unprecedented assault on its democratic institutions and values, fueled by a coordinated disinformation campaign with apparent ties to Russian and MAGA interests. This campaign has not only tarnished Canada’s international reputation but has also severely damaged the credibility of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Perhaps most alarmingly, it has provided fertile ground for populist extremism to take root, with Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre eagerly capitalizing on the chaos.

The Disinformation Playbook

The disinformation campaign targeting Canada has followed a familiar playbook, exploiting existing social divisions and amplifying fringe narratives.

The Convoy Protests:

What began as a protest against COVID-19 mandates quickly morphed into a broader anti-government movement. Russian state media and MAGA-affiliated outlets heavily promoted the protests, framing them as a popular uprising against tyranny. Despite the movement’s links to far-right extremism, Poilievre enthusiastically embraced the convoy, meeting with protesters and offering them coffee and donuts.

Climate Change Denial: The fossil fuel industry and its allies have long pushed climate change skepticism. This narrative found a willing audience in conservative circles, with Poilievre himself dismissing decades of climate science and vowing to scrap carbon pricing if elected.

COVID-19 Misinformation: Throughout the pandemic, Canada was bombarded with false narratives about vaccine efficacy, lockdown measures, and supposed government overreach. These conspiracy theories often originated from or were amplified by Russian and right-wing American sources.

The spread of disinformation in Canada has led to alarming threats against politicians’ lives, mainly targeting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other politicians. This dangerous trend has escalated in recent years, fueled by online misinformation and extremist rhetoric.

Threats Against Justin Trudeau

Prime Minister Trudeau has faced numerous serious threats to his life:

– In July 2020, Corey Hurren rammed his truck through the gate at Rideau Hall and attempted to reach Rideau Cottage, where Trudeau and his family were staying. Hurren was armed with five firearms.

– In June 2024, Mason John Baker, a 23-year-old Calgary resident, was charged with uttering threats to kill Prime Minister Trudeau on social media.

– As early as October 2015, just days after Trudeau’s election, there were calls on social media for someone to assassinate the newly elected Prime Minister.

The harassment and threats have extended to other Liberal MPs and officials:

– Liberal MP Pam Damoff reported receiving an influx of abusive messages after a Conservative MP’s tweet in 2023, including one that wished her and her family a painful death.

– In June 2024, Garry Belzevick, a 67-year-old Edmonton resident, was charged with uttering threats to kill Trudeau, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh.

– Liberal MP Iqra Khalid has also faced threatening abuse, some of which she attributes to messaging by Conservative MPs.

Impact of Disinformation

The rise in threats and harassment is closely linked to the spread of disinformation:

– Global Affairs Canada reported a “spamouflage” disinformation campaign likely connected to China, targeting dozens of MPs across the political spectrum in 2023.

– Russian disinformation operations have produced articles aimed at undermining support for Trudeau and boosting his political rivals.

– The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent convoy protests were amplified by Russian propaganda, particularly in right-wing media, according to Trudeau’s testimony to the Foreign Interference Commission.

Government Response

The Canadian government has acknowledged the severity of the situation:

– The RCMP reported a 700-800% increase in harassment of MPs over the past five years, primarily driven by online incidents.

– Prime Minister Trudeau has called the current climate of polarization, toxicity, misinformation, and anger directed at individuals and institutions unhealthy for Canadian democracy.

– The government is exploring options to combat disinformation while balancing concerns about freedom of expression.

These examples highlight the dangerous consequences of disinformation in Canadian politics, demonstrating how online rhetoric can translate into real-world threats against elected officials, thanks to Pierre Poilievre’s “Populist Pivot.”

Poilievre’s Populist Pivot?

Pierre Poilievre has skillfully leveraged this atmosphere of mistrust and misinformation to advance his political agenda. By embracing populist rhetoric and positioning himself as an outsider fighting against “elites,” he has tapped into the same vein of discontent that fueled the convoy protests.

Poilievre’s approach includes:

– Attacking the credibility of mainstream media and scientific institutions
– Promoting cryptocurrency as an alternative to “government-controlled” currency
– Stoking fears about “globalist” agendas, echoing conspiracy theories popular in far-right circles

EKOS Research Findings Tell The Story

84% of Canadians with the strongest belief in disinformation vote Conservative

Recent studies by EKOS Research Associates paint a troubling picture of how disinformation has taken hold in certain segments of Canadian society. Their findings reveal:

– 84% of Canadians with the strongest belief in disinformation vote Conservative.
– As disinformation index scores rose, so did Conservative support, with 68% of those with a “high” score of five or above backing the party.

– Religious conservatives and those with lower levels of education were particularly susceptible to believing and spreading false narratives.

Frank Graves, president of EKOS, warns that this trend represents a “dark and polarized” turn in Canadian politics. The research suggests a dangerous feedback loop, where exposure to disinformation reinforces partisan beliefs, making individuals more susceptible to further false narratives.

Between MAGA-owned news outlets like PostMedia, X, and META, we’re fucked. Pandering to stupid has always been part of the strategy; keeping people stupid is the other part.

The Violent Threat to Canadian Democracy

The proliferation of disinformation and the rise of populist extremism pose a serious threat to Canadian democracy. As we’ve seen in the United States, the erosion of trust in democratic institutions can have far-reaching consequences.

With Trump’s return to power looming south of the border, Canada faces the risk of further destabilization. The MAGA movement has already demonstrated its willingness to interfere in Canadian affairs, as evidenced by American right-wing media’s enthusiastic coverage of the convoy protests.  Fuck, They’re flat out calling for the “forced” takeover of Canada, hoping to install Wayne Gretzky as PM, For Fuck Sake.

Conclusion

Canada stands at a crossroads. The spread of disinformation, fueled by foreign interests and embraced by opportunistic domestic politicians, threatens to undermine the very foundations of our democracy. Canadians must remain vigilant, critically evaluate the information they consume, and resist the allure of simplistic populist solutions to complex problems.

And Pierre Poilievre isn’t helping. The prohibitive future PM of Canada has so far not only refused to stand up to MAGA/Russia/China’s attempt to sew Chaos in Canada, but he’s embracing it. He knows he wouldn’t be here without MAGA/Russian-funded “Canada is Broken” campaigns, and this appears to be a significant reason he refuses his NatSec background check. He’s not just enjoying the destruction of Canada’s reputation on the world stage; he’s using it for personal political gain.

Poilievre proved it again with his first presser of 2025. Opting to tear down Canada while giving MAGA/Elon a public blowjob begging for an “economic partnership” from American Authoritarians threatening to invade our Sovereign Nation.

As we progress, strengthening media literacy, supporting quality journalism, and fostering a political culture that values truth over partisan gain will be essential in preserving Canada’s democratic integrity. The alternative – a Canada increasingly divided, distrustful, and vulnerable to manipulation – is too dire to contemplate.

Dean Blundell

Dean Blundell is a Canadian radio personality. Best known as a longtime morning host on CFNY-FM (The Edge) in Toronto, Ontario. In 2015 he was named the new morning host on sports radio station CJCL (Sportsnet 590 The Fan). Dean started his career in radio in 2001 and for nearly 20 years been entertaining the radio audience. Dean’s newest venture is the launch of his site and podcast which is gaining tremendous momentum across North America.

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