A new book, "For Blood and Soil: Far-Right Extremism in Canada," examines the evolving landscape of far-right extremism within the country, arguing that the movement has shifted from smaller, organized groups to a more diffuse network amplified by social media and conspiracy theories. The authors, Stephanie Carvin and Amarnath Amarasingam, trace this development through significant Canadian events, including the 2017 Quebec City mosque shooting and the 2021 London, Ontario attack on the Afzaal family.
Carvin emphasized the importance of recognizing this extremism as a domestic issue, stating, "It's Canada. It's Canadians." The book suggests that political events in the mid-2010s, such as the election of Donald Trump and Justin Trudeau, along with discussions around Syrian refugee resettlement and Islamophobia, contributed to uniting various factions of the far-right. Online platforms are identified as crucial in spreading extremist narratives, lowering the barrier to accessing such content.
The researchers also point to the 2022 Freedom Convoy protests in Ottawa as a demonstration of the movement's ability to mobilize large numbers of people and serve as a recruitment opportunity. "For Blood and Soil" offers insights into how extremist ideologies are financed and sustained, and provides targeted recommendations for addressing this threat to Canadian institutions and social cohesion. The book highlights that while international links exist, the core of the problem is homegrown.
