OTTAWA, ON (November 28, 2024):
From ambitions of Arctic dominance to hybrid warfare tactics, the Kremlin’s reach threatens Canadian sovereignty and global security. In Free Russia: How Canada and the West Can Counter Russia’s Authoritarian Regime and Help Democracy Flourish, MLI Senior Fellow Marcus Kolga calls on Canada to take a leadership role in supporting Russian democratic movements and resisting the Kremlin’s authoritarian grip.
Kolga, an international security and disinformation expert, highlights the systemic repression under Vladimir Putin’s neo-totalitarian regime, and details the suppression of dissent, rampant disinformation, and aggressive foreign policies aimed at destabilizing Western democracies.
Key Recommendations for Canada:
- Support Exiled Civil Society and Media: Provide sustained funding to Russian activists and independent journalists working in exile to counter Kremlin propaganda and foster democratic values.
- Strengthen Sanctions Enforcement: Enforce and expand Magnitsky sanctions targeting Russian oligarchs and officials complicit in human rights abuses, using seized assets to aid victims.
- Combat Disinformation: Collaborate with tech platforms to suppress Kremlin propaganda and promote content from independent Russian media.
- Champion Political Prisoners: Demonstrate solidarity with imprisoned Russian dissidents and their families to sustain their resilience.
- Defend Arctic Sovereignty: Enhance Arctic defence strategies to counter Russia’s encroachments on Canadian territory.
“The Kremlin’s authoritarianism poses a clear and direct threat to Canada and its allies,” Kolga warns. “The international community can help break the regime’s stranglehold by supporting those who expose the regime’s lies and challenge its narratives.” While Putin’s regime appears entrenched, history has shown that no authoritarian government is invincible. By investing in Russian opposition movements and countering the Kremlin’s disinformation, Canada can – and must – play a pivotal role in shaping a future where a democratic Russia upholds human rights and global peace.
To learn more, read the full paper here:
Marcus Kolga is a senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute and founder of DisinfoWatch.
For further information, media are invited to contact:
Dagny Pawlak-Loerchner
Senior Communications Officer
(613) 482-8327 x113
Dagny.pawlak-loerchner@macdonaldlaurier.ca
