Several corporate sponsors are withdrawing their support of the Canada Strong and Free Network’s Red Deer conference.
The termination of support comes after left-wing activists and journalists have targeted the networking organization for hosting American conservative journalist Christopher Rufo, though the companies are remaining mum as to why they have pulled their support.
A hit piece published in the National Observer at the beginning of August attacked CSFN for hosting Rufo, painting the conservative journalist as “far-right” and a regressive force in politics.
Later in the month, a petition on Change.org started by LGBTQ activist Wilbur Turner began circulating online, seeking to pressure CSFN’s corporate sponsors into withdrawing their support from their September conference in Red Deer because of Rufo’s scheduled talk.
The petition claims sponsors should pull their support because Rufo is one of the leading opponents against critical race theory, actively campaigns against diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, appeared alongside Florida Governor Ron DeSantis during the signing of his Stop W.O.K.E. Act, and was appointed to the board of Florida’s New College.
Turner is a prominent LGBTQ activist, serving as the president of Advocacy Canada – an organization dedicated to “uniting queer voices.” Turner was also the grand marshall at Kelowna’s 2022 Pride march.
Controversial left-wing activist and journalist Rachel Gilmore posted a video to X condemning CSFN’s sponsors for supporting an event hosting Rufo, claiming the journalist is responsible for the worst features of the American culture war and is opposed to teaching about racism in schools.
Soon after, Bruce Power, Ontario’s only private sector nuclear energy provider, pulled their support alongside Mastercard, a major payment transaction processor.
In a post on X, Bruce Power’s chief operating officer James Scongack said that his company has sponsored CSFN events focused on energy policy in the past, but do not support the dialogue with Rufo.
“@Bruce_Power has traditionally participated in the former Manning Centre Conference in Ottawa sessions focused on energy and do not support this dialogue. Bottom line- we will no longer support the energy dialogue and want our name removed from everything,” said Scongack.
Scongack confirmed that Bruce Power is withdrawing all financial contributions to CSFN.
True North reached out to Scongack and Bruce Power for comment, though no response was given.
SunLife Financial, Canadian Pacific Kansas City, and the Canadian Bankers Association would join Bruce Power and Mastercard in the boycott.
True North reached out to Mastercard, SunLife Financial, and Canadian Pacific Kansas City for comment, though no response was given.
The Canadian Bankers Association told True North that they will not be commenting.
In a statement to True North, CSFN president Adam Bolek said that he is unable to speak to specific sponsor arrangements and agreements, but appeared to be undeterred by the corporate sponsor boycott.
“You may have seen the attempts of the activist left to undermine the spirit of free thought and debate that CSFN fosters at our conferences. Their attempts will never discourage us,” wrote Bolek.
“Unlike the left, we don’t demand agreement or quiet obedience to the ideas presented on stage. We expect our attendees to think for themselves. That’s at the very core of our Network, and of Canadian conservatism.”
Bolek went on to reaffirm his commitment to hosting Rufo at the conference.
“We’re pleased to host Chris Rufo as our Keynote Speaker. An influential voice, academic, policy mind and thought-leader, Mr. Rufo is advancing debate on issues that underpin our academic and corporate institutions,” said Bolek.
“The activist left had taken specific note of Mr. Rufo, with whom they disagree on a number of points. They’re working hard to undermine him.”
The companies Meta, Roll’n, Loyalist Public Affairs, KOCH, the Modern Miracle Network, CocaCola, and DoorDash have maintained their support for the conference. Additionally, Alberta Proud, the Montreal Economic Institute, and Second Street remain as partners.
