Description

Online harassment of political figures in Canada is on the rise. Nearly half of campaign-related tweets are uncivil or abusive, discouraging diverse candidates and eroding trust in democracy.

In this episode, Host Anthony Giroux (Law Student at the University of Montreal) speaks with Sabreena Delhon (CEO of the Samara Centre for Democracy) and Dr. Heidi Tworek (Canada Research Chair and Professor of History and Public Policy at the University of British Columbia). Together, they explore how disinformation, targeted and identity-based harassment, and algorithm-driven amplification are reshaping democratic participation in Canada. The discussion examines the specific challenges faced by women, racialized, and 2SLGBTQ+ candidates, the role of bots and foreign influence in spreading abuse, and the constitutional tension between free expression and curbing online hate. Delhon explains how SAMbot tracks toxic discourse during elections, while both guests reflect on solutions—from party protocols and platform moderation to policy reforms and community-driven responses—that could help safeguard trust, representation, and inclusion in Canadian democracy.

Guests

• Sabreena Delhon, Chief Executive Officer, Samara Centre for Democracy
• Dr. Heidi Tworek, Canada Research Chair and Professor of History and Public Policy, University of British Columbia

Host

• Anthony Giroux, Law Student, Faculty of Law, University of Montreal