Professor Timothy Caulfield and myself answered calls from across Canada about conspiracy theories, moral panics, and dis/misinformation on CBC National Radio’s Just Asking. It was a great conversation!
Pierre Polievre’s Social Media
Myself and other scholars spoke to Christopher Cheung at the Tyee, about the populist messages and dog whistles in Pierre Poilievre’s social media posts. Many of the posts are videos that while seemingly banal, actually speak to those on the far-right, and those who are conspiracy driven. The mediate racism included by his followers in their responses to the posts, are primarily ignored.
Pierre Poilievre’s Religion and Christian Nationalism in Canada
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has been making appeals to Christians across Canada, and this is not a new approach in the conservative realm in Canada. Yet, there are those Christians who are not as welcoming to his approach to the ethnic churches and communities. I spoke with The Tyee about Christianity, politics, and Christian Nationalism and it’s influence in Canada.
Conspiracy theories and political response
I had the opportunity to discuss politicians’ responses when confronted with questions about conspiracy theories. In the discussion with the Blue Sky talk show on CBC Saskatchewan about conspiracies, why they take hold, the swing to right wing governments, and the implications to marginalized communities when politicians entertain conspiracies as a political platform.
Artur Pawlowski in Ohio
Pastor Artur Pawlowski is the keynote speaker at a Prayer Breakfast in Ohio and people are questioning if this is good for the community. A reporter contacted me to find out more about this Canadian Pastor and his link to a transnational Christian Nationalism movement in North America.
Alex Jones books for sale by Canadian Government
Through a forfeiture sale the Canadian government is selling copies of Alex Jones’ book on the Great Reset. David Fraser from the CBC news spoke to me about this sale and my thoughts about it. I honestly, found it odd considering the Prime Minister is the crux of the Great Reset conspiracy for many Canadian conspiracists, but there are also issues of censorship if the government had chosen not to sell the items.
Writing NonStop – New Book coming in 2025!
In 2025, I will have a manuscript published: Constructed Victimhood next year. The book contextualizes the role of a sense of persecution of white, Christian, men express on social media, providing an persona of victimhood allowing them to pursue an ideology of anti-immigration, anti-feminism, and anti-LGBTQ2SA communities. They are not alone, with some Christian women online, articulating the same victim status helping to mobilize a Christian nationalist movement across North America. Please check back for more details!
Upcoming Book – Canadian Far Right and Conspiracy Theories
During my Postdoctoral Fellow position at the Disinformation Project at Simon Fraser University, we created a novel approach to coding conspiracy theories and right-wing extremists’ use of these theories to spread their ideologies. The entire group including Dr. Ahmed Al-Rawi, are the authors of The Canadian Far Right and Conspiracy Theories, with Routledge’s Far Right Series. Stay tuned for updated publication dates!
Cathedral Chat – Christian Nationalism April 17th
On April 17th I will be doing a Cathedral Chat, at Christ’s Church Cathedral in Hamilton, ON. The discussion will be live streamed on Youtube as well. We will be thinking about the role of Christian nationalism in Canada, our politics, and how conspiracy theories are used as a mobilizing force.
Violence and American Elections in 2024
This week I was interviewed by the CBC to discuss the topic of violence in American elections. The rhetoric and name calling is causing some people to threat or swatting nominees or elected officials. This divide in the political realm is affecting the safety of nominees, politicians, and those who engage in civics in the nation.