Solutions exist for Canada’s alt-right radicalization

This is a 15 February article by Jennifer Wolowic, who co-leads the Strengthening Canadian Democracy Initiative at the SFU Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue, Simon Fraser University. Kelly Grounds co-authored this article. She has worked as a junior policy analyst in cybersecurity and as a research assistant on disinformation projects. This article is republished from The Conversation. To turn back the tides of radicalization and hate, Canada needs investments in our democratic culture, improvements in policing and support for grassroots efforts. We can look to international and local examples for practical solutions.

Whose freedom is the ‘freedom convoy’ fighting for? Not everyone’s

The so-called “freedom convoy” has captured worldwide attention. The one-word rallying cry — freedom — is their activist mantra. But what might “freedom” mean to other Canadians? This is an article by Gerald Walton, Professor in Education of Gender, Sexuality and Identity, Lakehead University. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.

RNAO calls out extremist and hateful actions driven by far-right on display in Ottawa

RNAO condemns the racist and extremist behaviour that unfolded in Ottawa led by far-right groups this weekend. Our association deeply believes in people’s rights to demonstrate peacefully and to express themselves in a democratic society. However, what we are witnessing is an event that started as a convoy of truckers but was hijacked by far-right groups using disinformation and preying on fears around a pandemic.

Big tech has a vaccine misinformation problem – here’s what a social media expert recommends

Facebook and other social media platforms spread massive misinformation and bear huge responsibility for the urgent threat to public health raised by the U.S. Surgeon General. This is a July 29 article by Anjana Susarla, Omura-Saxena Professor of Responsible AI at Michigan State University.

Misinformation is an urgent threat that prolongs the pandemic and puts people at risk

Misinformation is an urgent public health threat – and also a threat to democracy and values of social justice. In July, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued the first Surgeon General's Advisory of this Administration to warn the American public about the urgent threat of health misinformation.

Media release: Mandate vaccinations for all health-care and education workers and immediately establish safe zones to protect patients, students and workers

Toronto, Oct. 7, 2021. At a time when the federal government is mandating vaccinations for all of its public workers and municipalities, such as Toronto is doing the same, the Ontario government must move speedily to require all health-care and education workers across the province be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

The inherent racism of anti-vaxx movements

The majority of those not yet vaccinated are hesitant for a diversity of legitimate reasons. A small but influential minority of the unvaccinated are anti-vaxxers driven by ideology who produce and disseminate disinformation intended to obfuscate, confuse and create hesitation. They also lead the angry and dangerous mob actions against hospitals and schools that require the enactment of safe zones. The following is a July 15 article from Paula Larsson addressing the racist roots of the anti-vaxx movement.

Connecting the dots – far right extremism as a serious health threat

Recent mob events at hospitals and schools represent the tip of the iceberg in terms of the threat to health represented by the growth of far-right extremism. As health providers and policymakers, we need to become aware of how the increasing organization, visibility and influence of far-right extremism and their ideas and organizations is a serious concern from a health perspective.