The Big Story Examining political extremism in Canada in the wake of the alleged anti-government militia plot in Quebec
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Jul 10, 2025 Dax D'Orazio, a post-doctoral fellow specializing in political science, dives into the alarming rise of political extremism in Canada following a militia plot in Quebec. He unpacks the shocking involvement of active Canadian Armed Forces members and the dangerous intersection of misinformation and radicalization. The conversation touches on the implications of online spaces for recruiting extremists and contrasts Canadian gun legislation with that of the U.S. D'Orazio illustrates the complex motivations fueling these movements and the challenges in combating them.
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Canada's New Militia Trend
- Canada historically lacks active anti-government militia movements common in the US.
- This emerging trend in Canada mimics extremist militias seen in American border regions.
Pandemic Fuels Extremism Symbolism
- The pandemic and government restrictions intensified anti-government sentiments.
- Justin Trudeau became a powerful symbol of perceived government overreach fueling extremism.
Gun Stockpiling Mysteries
- Despite gun laws, military-style weapons still appear in Canada.
- It's unclear if weapons were smuggled, stolen, or siphoned from military sources.