Surge in Antifa Discussions Across Canada Highlights U.S. Influence and Polarized Perceptions

A dramatic spike in online and media mentions of Antifa in Canada, triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump's recent executive order designating the group as a terrorist organization, has ignited debates over its nature and potential implications for Canada.

Analyzing the Antifa Narratives in Canada

Chart depicting the spike in Canadian media and social media mentions of Antifa narratives from September 2024 to September 2025, highlighting various framings including "ideology," "violent," "general conversation," and "anti-fascist."

New analysis from 996 Advisors reveals nearly 50% of posts frame Antifa through the lends of violence and terrorism—mirroring U.S. rhetoric. The analysis, drawn from social media platforms including X (formerly Twitter), Reddit, and BlueSky, as well as traditional media sources, covers the period from September 2024 to September 28, 2025. It shows a sharp uptick in mentions during the week of September 15, 2025, coinciding with Trump's announcement.

Overall, Antifa discourse remains low-volume compared to broader social issues but has resurfaced, echoing patterns from the 2016-2020 U.S. election cycle and the January 6, 2021, Capitol events.

Interest in "Antifa" in Canada peaked significantly around early 2021, with notable spikes also observed in late 2017, according to Google Trends data from August 2014 to September 2025. Interest has grown in Sep 2025 but is small compared to previous spikes.

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AI Powered Reputation Analysis: Regional Breakdown of Antifa in Canada Conversation

Unsurprisingly, Alberta leads per capita mentions (up to 6,995 per million residents), followed by Saskatchewan and Manitoba, reflecting the perceptions of right-leaning user base and alignment with conservative-leaning election maps.

Quebec shows a unique, French-dominant discussion on Reddit (nearly 75% of all Reddit posts on this topic were in French), tying into historical contexts like the 1970 October Crisis and current debates over separatist party collaborations.

Atlantic Canada and Ontario register lower but notable activity.

READ MORE: How We Apply This Analysis In Practice.

Could Antifa be Designated a Terrorist Organization in Canada?

There are clear efforts underway to brand Antifa as terrorists, with organizations such as the Dominion Society of Canada, sponsoring a petition to have the organization banned.

However, the counter narrative that Antifa is not an organization or membership that actually exists is present, albeit not as vocal. Whether the Canadian government is pressured by the US designation is yet to be seen, although it looks unlikely to be a priority for the current Carney government.