The Canadian Digital Media Research Network warns that it found a network of 20 inauthentic YouTube channels that exploit Albertans’ real grievances to normalize secession and U.S. annexation, and it has flagged the push as a potential covert influence campaign. (The Logic)

Talking point: The videos posted on the channels appear to come from an Albertan perspective, but the research network found no evidence that the accounts belong to Albertan users. The videos often feature deepfakes of Prime Minister Mark Carney or Alberta Premier Danielle Smith in front of a map depicting prairie provinces as part of the U.S., and include false or misleading information. Altogether, the channels have accumulated nearly 40 million views in the last year—more than double the reach of the Russian-funded Tenet Media network that came to light in 2024. The network said it can’t be sure of the intent behind the videos or where they’re coming from, but felt compelled to issue a warning given the scale of the effort.