Anti-hate experts in Canada are calling for more government action to counter what they say has become increasing right-wing extremism in the country. Several experts spoke at an international conference in Ottawa last week, called “Hate Among Us.” They say research suggests that millions of Canadians have been drawn closer to the far right during the COVID-19 pandemic, and much of the recent blame is being leveled at the so-called Freedom Convoy protests in February. The executive director of the Canadian Anti-Hate Network, Evan Balgord, said the Freedom Convoy organizers were able to use the protest to draw more vaccine-hesitant people to their movement — some through misinformation and lies. Balgord said many legitimate protestors were rubbing shoulders with others who advocate using violence to overthrow the government. “The worst part about it is that all those people who were there who think of themselves as not necessarily racist, not necessarily violent, they give cover to those elements that are in the movement,” Balgord said. Balgord’s network has been monitoring right-wing groups and their activities. Six years ago, there were perhaps 20,000 white supremacists in Canada. Balgord said that number has ballooned to 10-15% percent of the population that holds at least some far-right views. Heidi Beirich is with the U.S.-based Global Project Against Hate and Extremism. She said white supremicsts, racists, and those with anti-government and anti-science views are often “all mixed” in with people who might not share those views.
via wbfo: Right-wing extremism on the rise in Canada after ‘Freedom Convoy’ protests, anti-hate experts say
By Mathieu Breton – <span class=”int-own-work” lang=”en”>Own work</span>, CC BY 4.0, Link