David Thompson introduced guest speaker Marcus Kolga, whose distinguished career in fighting disinformation has earned him international recognition and even sanctions from both Chinese and Russian authorities.
Marcus spoke about the long history of Russian disinformation efforts targeting Canada, dating back to the 1930s. He explained that the overarching objective has been to influence Canadian government policy in ways that favour Russian interests and weaken countries viewed as adversaries.
He described the gradual evolution of these campaigns, noting that under President Vladimir Putin, disinformation has become an explicit strategy. Through platforms such as Russia Today (RT), as well as the recruitment of academics, influencers, and media voices, these efforts have expanded significantly.
Since the onset of the war in Ukraine, these activities have intensified, with a heavy emphasis on podcasts and social media platforms targeting Canadian audiences. Marcus encouraged members to critically examine movements and narratives that may be influenced by foreign disinformation campaigns.
The presentation served as a sobering reminder of the importance of vigilance in an era of rapidly evolving information warfare. Christine Pratt thanked Marcus for his enlightening and important address.