Political theorist Dave Moscrop, author of 'Too Dumb For Democracy?' and journalist Fatima Syed of Canada's National Observer discussed the rise of populism in Canada and its effect on the coming election, at the Toronto Reference Library on September 9, 2019.

Moderated by Brittany Andrew-Amofah, Senior Policy and Research Analyst at the Broadbent Institute.

**event description**

In 2016, the world witnessed a wave of right wing populism taking hold of Western democracies, from Brexit in the UK to the election of Donald Trump in the United States. Ever since then, Canadian academics, political commentators, and pollsters have obsessed over the question of whether or when this phenomenon will happen in Canada.

Some experts argue that Canada’s unique embrace of multiculturalism, our exceptional institutions, and our unique values, prevent this type of xenophobic populism from taking hold here. Last year, TPL hosted a talk with Michael Adams about his book 'Could It Happen Here?' where he presented data and arguments to support this view.

Other experts, however, see our current political landscape, look at the latest polling data, and point out that it’s too late: populism has already taken root in Canada.

So as we inch towards the October federal election, what can we expect?

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