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Right-wing American figures who have significantly influenced Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign are now turning their attention to the forthcoming Canadian election. They offer a mixture of warnings regarding various political matters, particularly immigration, that at times lean towards misinformation.
These commentators often portray Canada as a cautionary example of a nation where fundamental principles, such as free speech, are at risk. Their assertions frequently rely on questionable evidence, yet they seem to resonate with a portion of the electorate as the election approaches, according to experts.
Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and supporter of Trump, recently hosted Maxime Bernier, the leader of the far-right People’s Party of Canada, on his show to discuss immigration policies.
Bernier, whose party remains without representation in parliament, told Kirk that an influx of immigrants to Canada exemplifies “replacement theory,” a controversial conspiracy theory suggesting a deliberate effort to displace the white population with newcomers.
In a separate instance, popular podcaster Joe Rogan suggested that Canadians are unable to freely express their opinions online, claiming that the country has become so authoritarian that he would ‘prefer to go to Russia’ than visit Montreal.
Rogan shared on X earlier this year that Canada had prohibited news content on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
In reality, the action was taken by Meta, Facebook’s parent company, as a protest against Canadian legislation requiring digital platforms to compensate news organizations for their content.
– ‘It could happen here too’ –
Amarnath Amarasingam, an assistant professor at Queen’s University specializing in online communities, pointed out that the overlap between American and Canadian media landscapes means that Canadian audiences may be influenced by content from American figures.
He noted, “This is certainly affecting broader cultural discussions, including those surrounding immigration, gender identity, and race.”
High-profile personalities from the U.S. have been critiquing Canada for some time now.
Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson has persistently asserted that Canada requires “saving.”
Stephanie Carvin, an associate professor of international relations at Carleton University in Ottawa, highlighted that misleading left-leaning narratives about Canada also circulate, painting an idealized picture of the country while distorting statistics related to gun violence.
Given its familiarity to American viewers, Canada can be utilized as a cautionary tale illustrating how certain policies might adversely affect life in the U.S., Carvin noted.
For conservatives, this narrative may encompass warnings about how increased taxes intended to support public healthcare or social services could lead to societal decline.
Carvin described this perspective as conveying the message, “it could happen here too.”
“This is part of why Canada serves as a strategic narrative for many far-right influencers,” she stated.
– The Trump effect –
However, as the current election campaign intensifies, marked by grievances related to Trump’s trade policies and growing Canadian nationalism, the influence of conservative voices from the U.S. appears somewhat muted.
Elizabeth Dubois, an assistant professor of politics, communication, and technology at the University of Ottawa, mentioned that the Conservative Party has sought to engage with right-leaning Canadian influencers linked to the American right in the lead-up to the election.
“When evaluating the effects of these American influencers, it is crucial to consider this context,” Dubois remarked.
Source
www.yahoo.com