CANADALAND How to Score Cheap Political Points off a Mass Shooting
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Feb 13, 2026 Mel Woods, senior editor at Xtra Magazine and reporter on queer and trans issues, explains how far-right actors rushed to blame trans people after a mass shooting. She contrasts cautious mainstream verification with bad actors’ rapid, politically driven coverage. The conversation covers patterns of scapegoating, harmful language in reporting, and how misinformation gets amplified by politicians and outlets.
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Early Responsible Reporting Vs Online Speculation
- Mainstream outlets reported cautiously in early hours, focusing on verified facts and unknowns.
- This restraint contrasted sharply with social media where speculation and conspiracy filled the void.
Far‑Right Ready To Weaponize Tragedy
- Far-right actors routinely search violent incidents for links to marginalized groups.
- They amplify claims about trans people to validate a broader anti-trans narrative when one event fits their hypothesis.
Rushed Identity Claims By Fringe Outlets
- Juno News and Western Standard quickly published a suspect's identity before mainstream confirmation.
- Mel Woods contrasted that rush with responsible outlets that waited for RCMP verification.