Canadian domestic extremist groups are leveraging the upcoming federal election to amplify harmful narratives related to democracy, immigration, and conspiracy theories, according to a new report by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD). The extremist movements are exploiting tensions stemming from the strained Canada-US relationship under the Trump administration to attract increased support. The ISD’s analysis of over 160,000 social media posts from March to April 2025 reveals how these groups use mainstream political issues to advance divisive agendas ahead of the April 28 election, raising concerns about the potential impact on public discourse and social cohesion.
Analysis of Social Media Activity
The Institute for Strategic Dialogue’s report is based on a comprehensive analysis of more than 160,000 social media posts created between March and April 2025. This period corresponds with the lead-up to the Canadian federal election scheduled for April 28, 2025. The ISD closely examined content generated by known domestic extremist groups to identify patterns in how mainstream political discussions are co-opted to promote extremist ideologies.
The findings highlight that these groups strategically focus on contentious issues such as immigration policy, democratic processes, and conspiracy theories. By embedding their narratives within widely debated topics, the extremist groups seek to normalize their rhetoric and widen their influence among voters.
Exploitation of Political Tensions
The report notes that the extremist groups have capitalized on the ongoing Canada-US tensions exacerbated during the Trump administration. Issues surrounding trade, border security, and diplomatic disagreements have created an environment of uncertainty and grievance. Extremist movements have leveraged these sentiments to present themselves as defenders of national interests, thereby attracting increased support from individuals disillusioned with traditional political actors.
Impact on Public Discourse and Social Cohesion
Experts warn that the amplification of harmful and divisive narratives by extremist groups poses risks to public discourse and social harmony in Canada. The exploitation of democratic processes to spread misinformation undermines trust in electoral institutions and fuels polarization among the populace. This climate, in turn, threatens to exacerbate existing societal divisions and complicate efforts toward inclusive political engagement.
Recommendations and Future Monitoring
The ISD report calls for enhanced monitoring of extremist online activities, particularly during sensitive political periods such as federal elections. It recommends that policymakers, social media platforms, and civil society collaborate to mitigate the spread of disinformation and extremist propaganda. Educating the public on identifying and critically assessing such narratives is also emphasized as a key strategy to protect the integrity of democratic processes.
In conclusion, the Institute for Strategic Dialogue’s report underscores the growing challenge posed by domestic extremist groups in the context of the upcoming Canadian federal election. By exploiting political tensions and embedding harmful narratives within legitimate debates, these groups threaten to undermine democratic processes and social cohesion. Addressing this issue requires coordinated efforts among policymakers, social media companies, and civil society to monitor extremist activities, counter disinformation, and educate the public. Such measures are essential to safeguarding the integrity of Canada’s democracy and fostering a more inclusive political environment moving forward.
