Far-Right Framing Processes on Social Media: The Case of the Canadian and Quebec Chapters of Soldiers of Odin

Abstract

In recent years, Canada has witnessed an increase in visibility of far-right groups and activities. This phenomenon is particularly interesting as it contrasts with the broader Canadian context of acceptance of immigrants and support for multiculturalism. How do far-right groups represent themselves and their claims to the public considering the dominant discursive environment in which they operate? Moreover, are far-right groups’ discourse and rhetoric marked by contextual differences? This paper analyzes the way the distinct Canadian and Quebec chapters of the vigilante group Soldiers of Odin (SOO) use their public Facebook pages, comparatively. This research demonstrates that both SOO chapters negotiate their self-representation by employing cultural elements that are salient and meaningful in their respective sociopolitical contexts and that can be exploited to infer motivations.