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File:KOLGA W5 CTV.jpgMarcus Kolga appearing on the March 12, 2022 CTV W5 documentary "War in Ukraine".
Marcus Kolga (born August 6, 1973, in Toronto) is a Canadian journalist, filmmaker, digital communications strategist, and human rights activist of Estonian descent. He is recognized for his expertise in Russian and Central and Eastern European affairs, with a particular focus on disinformation and foreign influence operations. In 2023, Toronto Life Magazine named him as one of the 50 most influential Torontonians[1]for his work on fighting foreign authoritarian disinformation.
In 2008, Kolga spearheaded[2] the initiative to establish August 23 as Black Ribbon Day in Canada, commemorating the European victims of Nazism and communism. He drafted the parliamentary resolution, which was introduced and passed by Hon. Bob Rae.
Kolga led the Canadian civil society campaign advocating for the adoption of Magnitsky legislation, aimed at sanctioning human rights violators. He wrote and spoke regularily in Canadian national media in support of Magnitsky sanctioning legislation and was awarded the 2017 Magnitksy Award for Outstanding Contribution to the campaign.[3] He continues to advocate for global human rights and democracy activists.[4]
Kolga publicly advocated in Canada for the release of Russian human rights and pro-democracy opposition leader, Vladimir Kara-Murza.[5]
He continues to advocate for intensification of Canadian and Western sanctions against Russia and the repurposing of frozen Russian assets in Canada.[6]
Kolga's articles have been featured in major publications, including The Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star, The National Post, and Maclean's.
In a 2023 Toronto Star column, he emphasized the importance of Ukraine's victory for global security, writing, "Ukraine's victory is not just a moral imperative: it will prevent Vladimir Putin from expanding his current conflict beyond Ukraine."
In a 2019 Maclean's article, he explored foreign influence in Canadian politics, stating, "As truth and facts fall victim to candidates who pander to groups aligned with Beijing, the erosion of our democracy may not fall far behind."
Kolga is a frequent commentator on international affairs and human rights in Canadian broadcast media:
He appeared in a CTV W5 feature documentary[7] about Vladimir Putin and the oligarchs who support his regime, to discuss sanctions against Russia, highlighting the importance of targeted measures in curbing authoritarian aggression.
In March 2022, he appeared in the CTV W5 documentary "War in Ukraine" where he spoke about Kremlin disinformation about Ukraine, the war and NATO.[8]
File:Kolga CPAC.jpgKolga appearing on CPAC's documentary "Detecting Disinformation for Democracy" November 2024.On CPAC's "Disinformation and Democracy" series, he analyzed the impact of disinformation on democratic institutions and its use as a weapon by foreign authoritarian regimes.[9]
Kolga is the founder and director of DisinfoWatch, a platform dedicated to monitoring and exposing foreign disinformation and influence campaigns. His work with DisinfoWatch has been reported on by Toronto Life Magazine,[10] The Globe and Mail,[11] National Post,[12] He serves as a senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute's Centre for Advancing Canada's Interests Abroad.
In 2015, Kolga was awarded[13] the Estonian Order of the White Star, V Class, by President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, in recognition of his contributions to human rights and democracy.
In October 2020, Kolga was awarded the Estonian Ministry of Interior Medal of Recognition, but publicly declined to accept it from the Minister of Estonian Diaspora Affairs, Riina Solman, due to the racist and homphobic positions of then Minister of Interior, Mart Helme, which was reported in Estonian national media.[14]
In March 2022, he was awarded[15] the Latvian Ministry of Defence Medal of Honourary Recognition by Minister of Defence and Deputy Prime Minister Artis Pabriks.
In November 2022, Kolga was awarded[16] the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affair's Medal of Honour II Class by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Urmas Reinsalu.
In March 2022, Kolga was named by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Kremlin's sanctions blacklist.
Kolga has testified in the U.S. Congress[17] and Canadian[18][19][20] Parliament on topics including Magnitsky sanctions,[21] Russian disinformation,[22] Russia's war against Ukraine,[23] and Interpol reform.[24]
