The use of the internet by Freedom Convoy protesters was disruptive and posed a threat to “social cohesion,” a Department of Public Safety manager testified at the Commons transport committee..“I think looking back to the example of the recent blockades in February,” said Ryan Schwartz..“I think an area worth examining is the effects of misinformation and disinformation which can cascade across social media platforms and be used to incite certain responses, shall we say, that have negative and disruptive consequences.”.“I think that misinformation and disinformation is something that can have very strong destabilizing effects from a critical infrastructure stability and reliability perspective but also in terms of social cohesion. That’s something as well that I think I would like to flag to the committee.”.Blacklock’s Reporter said Schwartz provided no examples of misinformation or disinformation. He did not define “social cohesion.”.His remarks followed public condemnation of the Freedom Convoy by Schwartz’s superior, Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino, who in repeated remarks claimed truck drivers were violent seditionists and criminals who used social media to further political aims..Mendicino on February 8 called truckers “an angry, loud, intolerant and violent crowd.” On February 16 he told reporters: “What is driving this movement is a very small organized group that is driven by an ideology to overthrow the government through whatever means they may wish to use.”.“At the core of the movement is anger, animosity and in far too many cases violence. What we’re beginning to see emerge are the hallmarks of a sophisticated and capable organization of a small number of individuals but with a steel resolve.”.“It sheds light on the ideology that is motivating that small number of organized individuals who are trying to spread that message and are doing it in an effective way across social media as a means of undermining public confidence in our institutions including law enforcement and the government. That is something that should concern all of us.”.Mendicino in February 25 testimony at the Commons public safety committee went further in accusing truck drivers of sexual assault though none were charged with the crime. “There were Ottawans who were subjected to intimidation, harassment, threats of rape,” he said.
