iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 23/07/2026

Many boys and young men want to intervene when they witness harmful behaviour. They just aren't sure how. Through research with Ontario men and boys, followed by the development of two interactive digital tools, DPS explored how to build bystander confidence and practical intervention skills.

101

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 27/05/2026

How do you scale empathy? Over the past year, we’ve been convening in-person dialogues between Palestinian and Jewish Canadians — creating space for people to meet, listen, and remain present with one another across disagreement. The impact of those sessions has been significant.

120

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 08/04/2026

How do you rebuild trust in democracy? Not with more information. With better engagement.

121

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 12/03/2026

Ten Palestinian and Jewish Canadians walked into the same room in Toronto last fall, unsure what to expect. At a time when conversations about Israel and Palestine were becoming increasingly polarized, they chose to do something counter-cultural. They stayed.

100

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 13/01/2026

New report: Political Polarization in Canada: Divides Between the Left and Right Digital Public Square ran a survey to figure out how Canadians perceive polarization, what they think are the causes of polarization, and what the left and the right think about one another. Here’s what we learned.

110

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 09/12/2025

In October 2025, Digital Public Square held the Polarization in the Public Square Conference, an opportunity for civil society, academia, and government to come together to explore solutions to the growing problem of political and social polarization in Canada.

100

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 12/11/2025

68% of Canadians who identify as ethnically Chinese worry that reports of foreign interference could fuel anti-Asian racism. Our research shows that fear of backlash can weaken community engagement on one of Canada’s most urgent national security issues: transnational repression.

substack.com

Why Canada Needs to Address Anti-Asian Racism in Responding to Transnational Repression

Anti-Asian racism threatens social cohesion and our collective ability to respond to foreign interference and transnational repression.

110

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 23/09/2025

Is there a relationship between young Canadians’ trust in generative AI technology, declining trust in democratic institutions, and the spread of genAI-powered mis/disinformation?

100

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 12/09/2025

We are glad to announce our final judge for Hack the Divide! Emily Traynor Mayrand is an expert in the downstream impacts of polarization. Her experience spans academia, the practitioner space, and government, providing great perspective on the theory of change and impact potential of projects.

Text on image:
Emily Traynor Mayrand
Judge
Emily is an expert researcher and knowledge mobilizer on violent extremism and terrorism. Her work in academia, in civil society with the Violence Prevention Network, and in the public service with the Government of Canada gives her a nuanced perspective of the forces leading to polarization as well as the downstream impacts that polarization can have on individuals and communities.

131

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 09/09/2025

We are excited to announce our second judge for Hack the Divide. Charles Finley is a civic leader with great experience launching and advising organizations for social impact. Charles will provide teams with feedback on impact potential and inclusivity.

Text on Image:
Judge
Charles Finley
Charles is a seasoned leader in strategic transformation and operations. His work as a founder, board member, and advisor across many organizations brings together system-level thinking with inclusive community building. As a trailblazer in civic technology and social innovation, he has a great depth of experience in starting, building, and achieving scalable impact.

100

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 04/09/2025

Hack the Divide is less than a month away and we are thrilled to start announcing our esteemed panel of judges! Ahmed Khalifa is our “builder” who will provide rich feedback on the creativity and execution of projects.

100

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 25/08/2025

Transnational repression—when governments reach beyond their borders to coerce, intimidate, or harm critics and members of their diasporas—is a growing problem in Canada. We identified three steps that Canada can take to fight back against transnational repression and protect targeted communities.

100

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 21/08/2025

We are excited to share the official event link for Hack the Divide! It's a free virtual hackathon on solutions for our polarized society. It will be hosted on September 26-28th. Sign up as an individual, or as a team! Stay tuned as we announce the great speakers and workshops in the coming weeks!

lu.ma

Hack the Divide · Zoom · Luma

💬 Hack the Divide: Building Bridges Between People When disagreements turn into divisions… how can we keep the conversation going? Join us for a weekend-long…

000

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 22/07/2025

How do you imagine AI? AImagine is a personality quiz that explores the deeper, more polarizing beliefs behind how people see AI. Read more in our newsletter. Built using data from the Global Dialogues Challenge by @cip.org. open.substack.com/pub/dpsorg/p...

open.substack.com

How Do You Imagine AI? – Try “AImagine”

Take AImagine, a personality quiz that explores different perspectives on artificial intelligence

010

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 27/05/2025

Canada's federal election is over, but misinformation about the results persists. In our latest Election Watch, we look at vote rigging hoaxes that have gained traction in the aftermath of the election. open.substack.com/pub/dpsorg/p...

open.substack.com

Election Watch – Pencils, Ballot Boxes, and Poll Workers

Election Watch by Digital Public Square is a series of reports based on our ongoing monitoring of online narratives promoting extremism, violence, and polarization around the Canadian federal election

010

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 08/05/2025

In our latest Election Watch, we look at violent and extremist narratives on election day in Canada. While Canada avoided election-related violence, harmful narratives and misinformation continue to grow in online spaces. Read more here:

open.substack.com

Election Watch – Canada's Election Avoided Violence and Extremism, But the Threat Remains

Election Watch is a series of reports based on our ongoing monitoring of online narratives promoting extremism, violence, and polarization amid the upcoming Canadian federal election.

020

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 25/04/2025

Read the MEO election update for deep dive analysis on the online environment and threats, then check out CanadaIsTalking.com to see how we are engaging with Canadians about election integrity – a key issue highlighted in this update.

030

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 24/04/2025

What happens before and after you vote should be important to every Canadian. Play CanadaIsTalking.com to share your views on voting and election results in Canada, or tell us what you think in the comments. #election2025 #cdnpoli

ELECTION DAY IS COMING
AND CANADA IS TALKING
WHY SHOULD I VOTE?
CAN I TRUST THE RESULTS?
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
reply below

010

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 23/04/2025

Our latest release, CanadaIsTalking.com, challenges your knowledge about how our democracy works. Do you know all the correct answers? #election2025 #cdnpoli

LEARN MORE ABOUT
OUR DEMOCRACY WITH
TRIVIA AND POLLS
CanadaIsTalking.com

020

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 23/04/2025

With election season in full swing, we created a set of tip sheets with best practices to protect yourself and your community from disinformation, transnational repression, and electoral interference. See what you can do here: www.digitalpublicsquare.org/insights/how...

digitalpublicsquare.org

How to Protect Yourself from Disinformation, Transnational Repression, and Electoral Interference

030

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 22/04/2025

Are you interested in the election? Click dpsorg.substack.com to read our Election Watch series. Or play CanadaIsTalking.com, where you can share your perspective on democracy in Canada. #election2025 #cdnpoli

DIGITAL PUBLIC SQUARE IS INVESTIGATING
WHAT CANADIANS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE ELECTION

LEARN MORE

031

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 17/04/2025

"We’re talking about direct personal harm" Cheuk Kwan, Co-Chair of the Toronto Association for Democracy in China, lays out the most critical impacts of transnational repression.

141

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 16/04/2025

"I was in Hong Kong during the Tiananmen massacre" Cheuk Kwan, Co-Chair of the Toronto Association for Democracy in China, has a history of protest and advocacy.

142

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 15/04/2025

"If you're out here in Canada causing trouble.. you better watch out" Cheuk Kwan, Co-Chair of the Toronto Association for Democracy in China, speaks about transnational repression against people in Canada.

youtu.be

Dangers Without Borders: Cheuk Kwan

YouTube video by Digital Public Square

110

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 14/04/2025

In our latest Election Watch newsletter, @digitalpublicsquare.org and @revontuletintel.bsky.social look at misinformation narratives surrounding Mark Carney's election as Liberal Party Leader and their implications for democracy in Canada. Read and subscribe! open.substack.com/pub/dpsorg/p...

A marionette stands at a podium. with the Canadian flag as a backdrop

120

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 14/04/2025

"Your passport doesn’t matter" Cheuk Kwan, Co-Chair of the Toronto Association for Democracy in China, shares his own experience of oppression.

110

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 12/04/2025

"Our government has... stronger law enforcement to... detect (cyber attacks)" Lihsin Liu, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, speaks about the countermeasures taken to counter foreign interference in Taiwan.

110

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 11/04/2025

"They are afraid of being coerced economically if they publicly support our events" Lihsin Liu, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, talks about the ways that transnational repression restricts freedoms.

110

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 10/04/2025

"Cognitive warfare (is used to) influence our society and change our voter behaviour" Lihsin Liu, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, describes Taiwan's efforts to counter electoral interference.

1104

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 08/04/2025

"A dire situation that Uyghur's are experiencing every day in Canada and elsewhere" @mehmettohti.bsky.social, Executive Director of Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project, explains what transnational repression means to him and his community.

141

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 08/04/2025

"1% of the population, 25% of incarceration" @mehmettohti.bsky.social, Executive Director of Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project, shares some sobering stats.

110

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 08/04/2025

"...And even I don't know if they have graves" @mehmettohti.bsky.social, Executive Director of Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project, speaks on the horrors inflicted on his family in China.

120

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 07/04/2025

“We want justice (…) without persecuting the other”

130

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 07/04/2025

“If you are silent … we’ll (let you) come and see your grandparents”

130

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 03/04/2025

Announcing a new DPS newsletter! We’re releasing Election Watch reports examining online narratives that fuel extremism, violence, and polarization heading into Canada's federal election. First is a topic dominating discussions—Canada as the 51st state. dpsorg.substack.com/p/election-w...

Zoomed in image of the USA flag, with one star replaced by a maple leaf

020

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 03/04/2025

What does foreign interference look like? Recognize the tactics.

131

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 02/04/2025

Protect yourself from online harrassment and transnational repression. Know the 4 steps.

153

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 28/03/2025

Every year, millions of people are forcibly displaced due to persecution, conflict, and human rights violations. Unfortunately for many asylum seekers, the dangers they experience know no borders — reaching all the way to democratic nations like Canada.

What transnational repression feels like:
Vulnerability
The experiences depicted are actual events based on research by Digital Public Square.

041

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 27/03/2025

Some forms of foreign interference are more subtle than others, but that doesn’t mean they’re less effective. With another general election coming soon, it is imperative that we protect ourselves from potential misinformation campaigns. (1/2)

What transnational repression looks like:
Online misinformation & election interference
The experiences depicted are actual events based on research by Digital Public Square.

130

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 27/03/2025

You’re at school and your home country’s politics come up. You want to share your experience with your classmates… But you stay silent You don’t know who else might be listening.

What transnational repression feels like:
Silence
The experiences depicted are actual events based on research by Digital Public Square.

061

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 26/03/2025

Activists consulted for our project noted that direct threats against them and their families were used to intimidate and control their communities.

What transnational repression feels like:
Intimidation

The experiences depicted are actual events based on research by Digital Public Square.

020

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 26/03/2025

In our 2024 survey we heard 28% of immigrant respondents say their families back home faced harassment or covert threats from foreign governments. (1/3)

What transnational repression looks like:
Harassment of family members back home

The experiences depicted are actual events based on research by Digital Public Square.

120

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 25/03/2025

Imagine this — you’re sitting at home after a protest and receive a phone call. “We’re watching you,” says the voice on the other line. The caller is with the police in your home country, meaning both you and your family are in danger. (1/3)

What transnational repression looks like:
Receiving anonymous threatening calls

The experiences depicted are actual events based on research by Digital Public Square.

162

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 25/03/2025

You’ve escaped your home country, but the harassment hasn’t stopped — late night phone calls, threats against your family… (1/4)

What transnational repression feels like:
Abandonment
The experiences depicted are actual events based on research by Digital Public Square

130

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 24/03/2025

Recently, Hong Kong activists have shared stories of bystanders taking close-up headshot photos of protestors. In a recent survey, 45% of respondents (all Canadian activists) reported frequent harassment from the Chinese government — including threats, violence, and surveillance.

What transnational repression looks like:
Your photo being taken at protests

The experiences depicted are actual events based on research by Digital Public Square.

030

Digital Public Square @digitalpublicsquare.org · 24/03/2025

This week, Digital Public Square is concluding our FIRE campaign. A year of research, consultations, and development have led to our visual article, where you can read about the experiences of people facing transnational repression. Follow @digitalpublicsquare.org to see the rollout.

Foreign Interference Resilience & Education, An initiative by Digital Public Square.

To learn more, visit: fire.digitalpublicsquare.org

031