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

Ready to explore the future of our democracies ?

From podcast to panel: Following their powerful conversation in this episode, both Dr. Heidi Tworek and Sabreena Delhon will also be joining us as speakers at the upcoming conference on Democracy, the Rule of Law, and Independence. Dr. Tworek will contribute to Panel 2, and Sabreena Delhon to Panel 4.

Join us for our conference on Democracy, the Rule of Law, and Independence:

• November 18–20, 2025
• Ottawa & Online

A must-attend event for collective reflection on the threats facing our democratic institutions, alongside leading figures from the legal and intellectual spheres, including The Right Honourable Richard Wagner, P.C., Chief Justice of Canada, and Jason Stanley.

DETAILS AND REGISTRATION