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Foreign Interference Campaigns Target Alberta, Labor Leader Demands Government Action
The leader of Alberta’s largest worker organization is calling for immediate action from provincial and federal governments to combat what he describes as a growing threat of foreign interference and online disinformation targeting the province.
“We Albertans are being targeted by foreign interference campaigns and our leaders aren’t doing anything to protect us or our democracy,” said Gil McGowan, president of the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL). “This is a five-alarm fire. Whether it’s the Russians or MAGA operatives from Trump’s America, it’s increasingly clear that shadowy, bad-faith actors are trying to mess with our democracy by messing with our minds.”
The urgent plea comes as the AFL released a troubling report prepared by EKOS Research Associates, one of Canada’s leading public research firms. The report reveals that Alberta has become what researchers describe as the “epicentre of disinformation within Canada,” with nearly one-third of Albertans (29 percent) categorized as “highly disinformed” – almost double the national average.
EKOS developed what they call a “Disinformation Index” to measure the extent to which respondents have accepted common disinformation narratives circulating online and in certain media outlets. The findings paint a concerning picture of information vulnerability in the province, particularly as debates around potential separation from Canada intensify.
The AFL’s warning aligns with several recent major studies highlighting Alberta’s disinformation problem. The Canadian Senate recently released findings concluding that MAGA (Make America Great Again) influencers have been aggressively promoting separatist narratives in Alberta. Additionally, the Global Centre for Democratic Resilience published evidence showing both American and Russian state and non-state actors actively interfering in Alberta’s separatist debate.
“The report from the Global Centre for Democratic Resilience used the phrase ‘cognitive sovereignty,'” McGowan noted. “Based on that study and the research done for the AFL by EKOS, it’s clear to us that the cognitive sovereignty of Albertans is under attack. It’s psychological warfare.”
Concerns about American interference have been further heightened by revelations regarding the controversial Centurion Project, whose founders reportedly used a MAGA-developed application to weaponize an Alberta voter list that was allegedly leaked illegally, possibly by the Alberta Republic Party, which has been described as having MAGA connections.
The timing of these reports is particularly significant given ongoing discussions about a potential referendum on Alberta’s separation from Canada. Experts worry that foreign actors see this debate as an opportunity to sow division and potentially influence democratic processes in the resource-rich province, which plays a crucial role in Canada’s economy.
The AFL, representing thousands of workers across various sectors, emphasizes that many of its members are being actively targeted by these disinformation campaigns. While the EKOS report does show one positive finding – that union members in both public and private sectors are somewhat less susceptible to disinformation than other Albertans – researchers caution that “they are not insulated from disinformation and can’t shape election and referendum outcomes on their own.”
McGowan is calling for a coordinated and robust response from both levels of government. “We need to start defending our cognitive sovereignty with the same kind of vigour that we would defend our geographic and political sovereignty,” he urged. “It’s time for us to put up a fight.”
The issue highlights growing concerns across democratic nations about the vulnerability of public discourse to manipulation through targeted disinformation campaigns. As digital platforms continue to evolve and artificial intelligence makes sophisticated misinformation easier to produce and distribute, experts warn that without proper safeguards, democratic institutions face unprecedented challenges.
The full EKOS report, titled “The Disinformation Divide: How Disinformation is Reshaping Alberta,” is available through the Alberta Federation of Labour.
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17 Comments
This report highlights the need for greater investment in digital literacy education and public awareness campaigns to empower Albertans to identify and resist foreign-backed disinformation efforts.
Agreed. Equipping citizens with the critical thinking skills to navigate the online information landscape is crucial in the fight against malicious actors seeking to manipulate public opinion.
Nearly 1 in 3 Albertans being categorized as ‘highly disinformed’ is a shocking statistic. This is a worrying trend that requires urgent attention and a comprehensive strategy to address the root causes.
I agree, the disinformation problem in Alberta seems deeply entrenched. A multi-pronged approach targeting both the supply and demand sides of misinformation is likely needed.
This report highlights the need for greater investment in digital literacy education and public awareness campaigns to empower Albertans to identify and resist foreign-backed disinformation efforts.
Absolutely. Equipping the public with the critical thinking skills to navigate the online information landscape is crucial in the fight against malicious actors seeking to manipulate public opinion.
Foreign interference in domestic politics is a serious breach of sovereignty. I hope the government takes this threat seriously and works quickly to protect Alberta’s democratic processes from malign influence operations.
This is very concerning. Foreign interference and disinformation campaigns targeting Alberta are a serious threat to democracy. The government needs to take swift and decisive action to protect Albertans and our institutions from these malicious actors.
I agree, the scale of the disinformation problem in Alberta is alarming. Strong leadership and concrete measures are required to safeguard the integrity of our political process.
The report’s findings on the high levels of disinformation in Alberta are troubling. We must be vigilant against efforts to manipulate public opinion and sow division. Strengthening digital literacy and media awareness could be an important step.
You’re right, empowering citizens to think critically about online information is crucial. Investing in fact-checking initiatives and public awareness campaigns could also help combat the spread of misinformation.
The labor leader’s call for action is understandable given the scale of the disinformation challenge. Protecting the integrity of our elections and public discourse should be a top priority for all levels of government.
The labor leader’s call to action is justified given the scale of the challenge. Protecting Albertans from foreign interference and online manipulation should be a top priority for policymakers.
The disinformation index developed by EKOS is an interesting tool for quantifying the scale of the problem. I hope policymakers use this data to inform targeted, evidence-based solutions to address the root causes.
It’s alarming to see Alberta described as the ‘epicentre of disinformation’ in Canada. This underscores the urgent need for collaborative, cross-jurisdictional efforts to combat this threat to our democratic institutions.
You’re right, a coordinated, multi-stakeholder approach will be key. Federal, provincial, and municipal governments must work closely with civil society and the private sector to develop an effective counter-disinformation strategy.
The disinformation index developed by EKOS is an interesting tool for quantifying the scale of the problem. I hope policymakers use this data to inform targeted, evidence-based solutions to address the root causes.