Disinformation, Division, Disaster

The Conservative Plan for Canada

Prospect Magazine warns of the UK’s vulnerability to a Trump-style populist figure seizing power through manipulation, disinformation, and economic despair. Canada faces an even greater risk, as its proximity to the United States exposes it to a more direct and dangerous form of radical right-wing contagion.

Donald Trump’s influence extends far beyond the U.S. border. His brand of rage-fueled, fact-averse populism has reshaped global politics, emboldening copycats in Britain, Brazil, and beyond. Canada is not immune. The same dark forces—disinformation, economic instability, and resentment—are actively at work here, seeking to dismantle our democracy, weaponize our institutions, and replace our fundamentally co-operative, inclusive society with a dog-eat-dog political nightmare.

A British Trump tribute act could snatch power in the UK

Without a constitution for protection, British politics is vulnerable to its own version of extremism

masthead logoAlan Rusbridger

The warning signs are flashing red. The UK is experiencing firsthand how easily right-wing opportunists can manipulate economic distress and public fatigue into a full-scale democratic collapse. The real question is: Is Canada next?

The UK Model: A Nation Sleepwalking into Authoritarianism

Britain’s Conservatives, much like their Republican counterparts in the U.S., have mastered the art of ruling through deceit, incompetence, and division. Brexit was their test run: a nationalist scam sold to the public under the guise of “taking back control.” It delivered the opposite—economic disaster, institutional erosion, and a poisoned political climate.

Now, as Prospect Magazine warns, Britain faces the looming threat of a far-right authoritarian leader seizing power by playing on public frustration. With a collapsing economy, soaring inequality, and a media landscape dominated by billionaire-owned propaganda machines, the stage is set for a British Trump figure to emerge.

The same blueprint applies to Canada, where Pierre Poilievre and his Conservative allies are actively repackaging the most cynical elements of Trumpism for Canadian voters. The lesson from the UK is clear: a party that thrives on misinformation and division doesn’t need competence—it only needs enough chaos to make the public desperate for any change, no matter how dangerous.

The U.S. Export: A Roadmap to Chaos

The rise of Trumpism wasn’t an accident. It was engineered. A well-funded, well-organized, right-wing movement—backed by billionaires, media giants, and dark money—paved the way for a leader who could exploit America’s deepest fears. Trump is merely the symptom; the disease was already festering.

In Canada, the Conservative Party under Stephen Harper began laying the groundwork for this shift long before Trump announced his candidacy. Harper waged war on science, democracy, and transparency, gutting institutions, muzzling dissent, and using wedge issues to stoke division.

Pierre Poilievre has taken the next step, adopting full-blown maple MAGA rhetoric while pretending to be a "populist" alternative. He praises Bitcoin while inflation soars, demonizes journalists while cozying up to far-right media figures, and rebrands his party as “for the people” while serving the same corporate elite that has always backed the Conservatives.

Canada is dangerously exposed to American right-wing influence. Our media ecosystem is increasingly dominated by U.S. culture wars, and disinformation spreads here just as quickly. The Conservative Party has openly adopted the Republican playbook: distract, divide, and destroy.

Canada’s Vulnerabilities: The Conditions for Collapse

If the UK and U.S. are warnings, where does Canada stand? The conditions for a right-wing authoritarian takeover are already in place:

1. Economic Anxiety: Canadians are suffering under soaring housing costs, stagnating wages, and rising inflation. Poilievre has seized on this, blaming Trudeau for every economic issue—even those caused by global forces or previous Conservative policies.
2. Disinformation & Media Manipulation: Social media is flooded with far-right propaganda, from conspiracy theories about carbon taxes to outright lies about crime rates and public health measures. Postmedia, Canada’s largest newspaper chain, is functionally an arm of the Conservative Party, amplifying attacks on government while downplaying the extremism brewing within its own ranks.
3. Growing Political Cynicism: The Conservative strategy is simple: make Canadians hate their government so much that they’ll accept any alternative, no matter how reckless. Poilievre offers nothing—no real policies, no solutions—just rage and resentment. The danger is that it works.
4. Institutional Weakness: Canada’s institutions have already been eroded by decades of corporate influence and political attacks. The weakening of public healthcare, education, and regulatory bodies makes it easier for a right-wing government to sweep in and further dismantle democracy.
5. Importing U.S.-Style Culture Wars: The Conservative Party is already deploying Republican-style attacks on LGBTQ+ rights, climate action, and racial justice. These aren’t Canadian debates—they’re American exports designed to radicalize voters and fracture society.

What a Canadian Trump Government Would Look Like

A Pierre Poilievre-led government would not be a simple return to Harper-era conservatism. It would be radically worse—a full adoption of the UK and U.S. model of right-wing destruction. Here’s what to expect:

• Annihilation of Public Services: Poilievre has already pledged to gut public healthcare, privatize essential services, and eliminate federal support for affordable housing. The goal? Force people into desperation so they accept deregulated, corporate-controlled alternatives.
• Surveillance and Authoritarian Crackdowns: Expect Harper-style attacks on unions, journalists, and activists—on steroids. The playbook is clear: delegitimize critics, criminalize protests, and weaponize police forces against dissenters.
• Full-Scale Media Capture: A Conservative government will further empower far-right media outlets while attacking independent journalism. This is already happening in Alberta under Danielle Smith, where journalists are being frozen out in favour of propaganda outlets.
• Cultural Warfare to Divide Canadians: Expect endless manufactured crises—attacks on education, LGBTQ+ rights, Indigenous sovereignty, and climate policy. The goal is to keep Canadians distracted while corporate interests loot the country.
• Deepened Americanization of Politics: A Poilievre government would align itself with U.S. Republican interests, from opposing climate action to dismantling social protections. Canada’s independent foreign policy would be erased.

Fighting Back: What Canada Must Do

The US has lost its democracy. The UK is in a spiral. Canada still has a chance—but only if we act now.

1. Expose the Conservative Agenda: We must cut through the lies and disinformation. Every time Poilievre talks about “freedom,” we must ask: freedom for whom? His donors? Big oil? Corporate landlords?
2. Reinforce Canada’s Democratic Institutions: Protecting the CBC, public education, and healthcare isn’t just about services—it’s about preventing a right-wing takeover.
3. Stop the Spread of Disinformation: Social media companies must be held accountable for amplifying far-right propaganda.
4. Mobilize Against Voter Apathy: The Conservative strategy thrives on disengagement. Apathy is their greatest weapon—engagement is ours.
5. Build a Stronger Progressive Movement: Canada needs a unified front against authoritarian conservatism. This means coalitions between progressive parties, labour movements, and grassroots organizers.

The Prospect Magazine article warns that Britain is on the verge of a right-wing meltdown. The U.S. is already deep in it. Canada is the next target. The warning signs are there. The question is whether we'll listen.

This is what I’m working on. Tell me what you think, I enjoy the conversation! Subscribe and follow the work in real time.

Thanks!

B

Proconsul 🇨🇦 (@proconsul.bsky.social)

Visionary Strategic Growth A guide for ambition, bridging strategy with implementation for modern business - clarity, structure, and sustainable impact. I listen. If it’s possible, I’ll show you how. proconsul.ghost.io

Bluesky Social

Right-wing populists don’t need to solve problems. They only need chaos. Make the public angry, destroy trust, and offer rage as the solution. Sound familiar?

If we let Poilievre turn this country into a Republican franchise, there’s no going back.

PS -