Data Briefing – January to August 2024: Online Domestic Extremism in Canada

Published: 7 May 2025

This briefing paper details analysis of Canadian domestic extremists’ online activity. It explores the platforms they are active on, the topics which galvanize them, and the ways in which they target communities in Canada. It is part of a multi-year study which will provide ongoing insight into Canadian domestic extremist activity through the ongoing delivery of analytical briefs.

Through an in-depth network analysis of these interactions, the report highlights how pro-Kremlin narratives have permeated radical and conspiracy communities within the three countries. It also identifies key influencers who have played a significant role in shaping these narratives and steering community discussions.

The research then employs semantic mapping, a clustering approach for analysing the textual content of posts, to assess posts from these communities over the two-year period. This approach provides a comprehensive view of the central themes discussed within each community, highlighting overlaps and similarities in their discussions, as well as the evolution of trending narratives over time. By tracing these changes, the report sheds light on the dynamic nature of discourse within these groups and the impact of pro-Kremlin messaging within radical and conspiracy communities.

This report was delivered with funding support from the Public Safety Canada Community Resilience Fund. The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of the Government of Canada.