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Nativist movements across Canada appear to be experiencing a resurgence with the rise in influence of their American counterparts. In an election year for Quebec, vigilance is warranted. The political class, including the media, would be wise to avoid indulging fringe activists.

The ideas promoted by modern nativist groups are hardly new, making the relevance of most of their marches or social media content questionable. Throughout 2017 there was substantial media coverage of these radicals. In excess, this can serve to tacitly legitimize and even promote hateful views.

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These nativists who have co-opted the cause of free speech to justify prejudice against Muslims, Jews or other minority groups would argue they are entitled to express their opinions. Perhaps (except for hate speech), but they certainly have no right to have their repugnant views conveyed to mainstream media audiences.