Montreal’s anti-radicalization centre rebrands in response to shifting mandate

MONTREAL — More than 10 years after it opened to great fanfare, Montreal’s anti-radicalization centre is getting a new name and focus to meet realities that leapt to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Centre for the Prevention of Radicalization Leading to Violence says it is rebranding to Villes sans violence in order to better reflect an evolving mandate.

Scientific director Dave Poitras says the centre opened in 2015 amid concerns over young Quebecers leaving to join the Islamic State, as well as attacks in Canada inspired by the terror group.

He says the centre’s focus has shifted in recent years towards addressing the rise of conspiracy theories, disinformation, as well as misogynist and anti-LGBTQ discourse.