Health law professor and misinformation expert Timothy Caulfield joins Alberta Primetime host Michael Higgins to discuss the role of echo chambers in the Alberta separation conversation. This interview has been edited for clarity and length. Michael Higgins: We’ve spoken before about the role of misinformation where health is concerned, - most recently around vaccines. To what degree are you watching information flow around separation? Tim Caulfield: I’m watching it closely. We’re seeing some very familiar trends where you have a very loud – and I think it’s really important to highlight – - minority shaping public discourse and also creating concern and polarization around this issue. It’s a really good example of the power of echo chambers. Out of the gate, I think it’s important to highlight that increasingly all of us can reside in an information echo chamber. If you believe the recent polls, only about eight per cent of Albertans who feel strongly about separating, or approve of separating, are really shaping public discourse around this very divisive topic. It’s really interesting: that Angus Reid poll I just referenced that came out very recently found that those that are favoring separation get their information from alternative sources of news and from friends and neighbors. That’s their primary source. For those that favor staying in Canada, they’re getting their information primarily from traditional media, etc. MH: On that front, how do influencers from even south of the border potentially sway the conversation? TC: I’m very concerned about foreign interference in this debate. There’s some inkling that’s already happening. We’ve seen some influencers who are presenting themselves as residing in Alberta in fact may be residing elsewhere. Polarization and rage have become an economy. It’s become a side hustle for some individuals. Research tells us rage and grievance and fear drives our social media algorithms. If you can weigh into a topic that is polarizing, that is built on grievance, you’re more likely to get clicks. I worry we’re going to see that happen in the separation debate. It already is, but I’m also worried foreign actors are going to take advantage of that to try to influence the outcome. Of course, we’re already seeing what’s happening with the Trump administration and the rhetoric around Alberta. So I think my fears, my concerns, are justified. MH: You referenced the Angus Reid poll from earlier this week. What could be a potential driver if we do see a shift towards support for separation? TC: It’s interesting to note the numbers really haven’t increased substantially. If you look at the clustering of research that’s gone on around this from 2020 to now, there hasn’t really been a dramatic increase in individuals who are interested in leaving. Perhaps we’ve seen a little bit of a rise, but it’s still what I would call a minority. What’s really interesting is those residing within that minority seem to believe they are actually the majority. This is called the false consensus phenomenon. It’s because they are living within these communities, right? They’re living in this echo chamber, and it feels like their grievances are the grievances of all of Alberta. What we need to be watching for – -and this is something we can learn from Brexit – - is those that want to separate may be more engaged in this topic. They may feel stronger about this topic than those who want to stay in Alberta. So that vocal minority can have an impact on overall public discourse. And as we learned in Brexit, you can end up with surprises at the polls. I don’t think we’re there yet. I think the numbers are very strongly showing that Albertans, by a large majority, want to stay in Canada. Also, it’s important to highlight that a large majority of Albertans seem to be upset with how Albertan politicians are handling this issue. In fact, that same poll found most Albertans think [Prime Minister Mark] Carney is handling this better than our premier. Those within the separatist movement would be shocked by that result. MH: What responsibility do you feel rests on the shoulders of our elected representatives as this debate continues to build? TC: I would love to see more of an informed debate. I’m going to be careful here, because this influences discourse across the political spectrum. But we know conspiracy theories, misinformation is feeding into the separatist movement around things like immigration, for example, and the great replacement theory, which is just a horrendous racist idea. It is having an influence. I would like to see more informed discourse around all of the topics, and let’s bring the temperature down on this.
