Don't be conned by the Cons
April 18, 2025
Tracey Saxby
Earlier this week I sent an email explaining how social media has been weaponized to undermine democracy (LEARN MORE).
This is critical to understand in the context of the upcoming election, as Pierre Poilievre and the Conservative Party have been using these Trump-style disinformation tactics—fuelled by oil and gas money—to manipulate Canadians and erode trust in democracy.
Poilievre's disinformation tactics
Pierre Poilievre has surrounded himself with lobbyists, far-right operatives, and digital disinformation strategists.
A recent investigation maps out Poilievre's inner circle, including links to Elon Musk, the Koch brothers, Enbridge, and Canada Proud—which is known for pushing climate disinformation and U.S.-style culture war narratives via social media.
During his Conservative leadership campaign, Poilievre hired Jeff Ballingall—the digital strategist behind Canada Proud—whose tactics mirror those used by Trump’s campaign to inflame division and suppress dissent.
We've seen how Canada Proud tried to undermine the local election in Squamish in 2022. Dark oil and gas money has also been linked to ads from fake grassroots groups targeting a small town in Ontario where Northland Power wanted to expand its gas plant. These aren’t isolated cases.
A 2022 DeSmog investigation found that Conservative-backed pages were consistently spreading disinformation on Facebook—particularly about climate science and energy policy—with a clear goal: protect oil and gas profits, no matter the cost to our democracy.
Poilievre has committed to all five major demands from the oil and gas industry, promising deregulation and expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure under the guise of “energy independence.” It’s a dangerous echo of Trump’s “drill, baby, drill” platform—backed by the same MAGA playbook. Many of the oil and gas companies behind these demands are largely U.S.-owned, and have close ties to the Trump administration.
The Conservative Party's rebrand—including Poilievre’s multi-million dollar makeover—makes the strategy clear: flood social media with misleading content, undermine science and journalism, and build a political base on populist outrage instead of evidence.
We need to call this out for what it is: an attack on truth, on climate action, and on democracy itself.
Get informed
As Trump threatens to make Canada the 51st State, it has never been more important to vote and defend what we value as Canadians.
Know who you are voting for. What are their values? Are they committed to urgent climate action or will they "drill, baby, drill"?
Check out the environmental pledges of each party put together by David Suzuki Foundation. Watch the Federal Leaders Debate.
While many people are planning to vote strategically based on the polls to avoid a Conservative Majority, read Seth Klein's tips for progressive voters.
Vote!
Advance polls are open 9am to 9pm for the next four days: Friday April 18 until end of day Monday, April 21.
Go to Elections Canada to learn how and where to vote. Make sure to bring your ID (learn more about Voter ID)
Ask your friends and family to vote
The Conservative disinformation machine is at full throttle, and the election could be decided by just a few ridings. That means every vote counts. Please phone, text, or email your friends and help to get out the vote.
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Thank you for participating in an active and healthy democracy.
Elbows up!
Tracey Saxby
Executive Director
My Sea to Sky
My Sea to Sky is incredibly proud and grateful to say that we rely on the My Sea to Sky community for small donations that provide the majority of our funding. Since our launch in 2014, we have been funded through personal savings, family and friends; and powered by the passion of our volunteers. Your generous contribution will help us to run our critical campaigns to defend, protect, and restore Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound. Can you chip in?