COVID-19 and the ‘Great Reset’: Here’s what you need to know

In a news conference on Friday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed conspiracy theories circulating about his involvement in the “Great Reset,” saying that “we’re seeing a lot of people fall prey to misinformation.”

On Nov. 20, Trudeau was asked about an earlier UN speech he gave in late September, in which he mentioned that COVID-19 is an “opportunity for a reset” — a remark that spurred a torrent of online comments from conspiracy theorists, including a member of parliament.

“I think we are in a time of anxiety where people are looking for reasons for things that are happening to them. That (in) the difficult moments we’re in, it’s nice to find someone to blame, something to point to, something to get mad at,” Trudeau responded.

WHAT DID TRUDEAU SAY IN HIS UN SPEECH?

In his United Nations address on Sept. 29, Trudeau made mention of a reset, which sparked controversy among skeptics across the country. 

Prior to using the word “reset,” Trudeau was speaking about the need for nations to work together amid the pandemic, and not just on vaccines. 

“Canada believes that a strong coordinated response across the world and across sectors is essential,” he said. “This pandemic has provided an opportunity for a reset. This is our chance to accelerate our pre-pandemic efforts to reimagine economic systems that actually address global challenges like extreme poverty, inequality and climate change.”

WHAT IS THE ‘GREAT RESET’?

The Great Reset is an initiative launched earlier this year by the World Economic Forum (WEF) to help inform decisions around global recovery amid the COVID-19 crisis.

According to the WEF website, the initiative will tackle the areas of “global relations, the direction of national economies, the priorities of societies, the nature of business models and the management of a global commons.”

Speaking generally about a need for a reset in global cooperation, Daniel Trefler, a Canadian economist and professor at U of T with no connection to WEF, said he is a big proponent.

Using the U.S. as an example, Trefler said unilateralism with regards to trade has lowered GDP, raised consumer prices, and not brought back any significant number of jobs, all while alienating the country’s allies.

From a Canadian perspective, Trefler added that our country, like many others, has little say in global governance architecture.

“It is in our interest to promote rules-based global governance systems so as to constrain the unilateral behaviour of the largest players internationally,” he added.

WHAT IS THE CONSPIRACY THEORY? 

The conspiracy theories around the Great Reset are centred on the notion that the WEF initiative is a plot by an international group of elites to strip citizens of their property rights, force them to get vaccinations and create “isolation camps” for anyone who resists.

The conspiracy theory — which suggest started as a chain email picked up by QAnon-associated internet forums — relies on an allegedly “leaked” email from a Canadian “Liberal committee member” outlining the scheme to suggest the “Great Reset” liberal buzz term is actually an international plot.

#TheGreatReset also has its own special place on Twitter where conspiracy theorists have been contributing to the action. 

— Queen-Elect ?????? (@deannaTheRoyal)

It all led to the vaccine! Not just vaccine as any vaccine…A massive orchestrated world distribution of high tech vaccines!, a control board! The Covid-19 vaccines will activate your transhuman and deactivate your human!
— NOTHING BEATS A VIKING (@Chemtrails_SWE)

Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre has also implied a connection between the WEF initiative and Trudeau’s Sept. 29 speech in a called “Stop the Great Reset.” 

“…Global financial elites have called for the same ‘Great Reset,’ which would re-engineer economies and societies to empower the elites at the expense of the people,” the petition reads.

Poilievre also took to social media to express his views.

RESET: Trudeau says COVID is his big “chance” to impose his “reimagined” society. Is he trying to shut down Finance Committee to cover up just the WE scandal or also to block scrutiny of the “reset”.
Click here to sign my petition:
— pierrepoilievre (@PierrePoilievre)

In response to this on Friday, Trudeau said: “We’re seeing a lot of people fall prey to misinformation and if Conservative MPs and others want to start talking about conspiracy theories, that’s their choice. I’m going to stay focused on helping Canadians get through this.”

— With files from Alex Boutilier.