Canadian political leaders are denouncing Rebel News for its hate speech, following the media group claiming responsibility for a truck advertising Islamophobic messages.
Footage of the truck driving around Toronto went viral earlier this week, where video screens displayed Muslim people praying, Palestinian flags, and subsequent text reading that Canada is “under siege” by Islam.
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The organization’s founder, Ezra Levant, claimed ownership of the billboard truck, though says the ads were created by a group called “Canadians Opposed to the Occupation of our Streets and Campuses.”
The matter is under investigation by the Hate Crime Unit, according to Toronto Police Services.
Several Canadian leaders in politics have spoken out online regarding the truck, and are encouraging fellow leaders to do the same.
NDP leader Jagmeet Singh condemned the media group’s actions, calling them “unacceptable.”
“This Islamophobic campaign was done to incite fear and fuel division,” Singh posted on X. “All leaders have a responsibility to condemn hateful acts like this.”
Former Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne also commented on Rebel News claiming the truck, calling the organization “despicable in every way.”
Ontario Liberal Party leader and former Mississauga mayor Bonnie Crombie said that hate has no home in the province, assuring that “those seeking to divide us will never represent us.”
In a video posted to X on Friday, Rebel News founder Levant is seen sitting in the passenger seat of the truck, saying that he’s taking advantage of Toronto’s slow traffic to continue promoting his message. He calls out mainstream media and Pro-Palestinian activists, saying that they are attempting to stop him from sharing his point of view.
“They have called for the prosecution of me and the truck for a hate crime,” Levant laughed. “It’s just absurd.”
Levant also posted more videos with the digital truck outside of Toronto City Hall and Metropolitan Toronto Police Headquarters, personally looking for Mayor Olivia Chow and Police Chief Myron Demkiw respectively as both have publicly condemned the advertising.
The Rebel News website is crowdfunding to support Levant’s “freedom of speech,” in which Toronto Police’s investigation could lead to him being convicted for up to two years.
The National Council of Canadian Muslims called out Levant’s publicity tactics, saying that he’s intentionally inciting hate for financial gain.
“An organization with a history of disinformation and lies is now leaning further into using hate for fundraising campaigns for its founder’s financial benefits,” the organization said on X.
As of time of publication, Rebel News has achieved 54 per cent of their 1000-donation goal.
