Unforgettable community discussions and respectful, inclusive debates
The Salt Spring Forum brings diverse perspectives on important issues to a community known for its civic engagement and openness to new ideas.
The Forum has hosted some of the world's leading authors, artists, scientists, political leaders and activists. Our annual speaker series and members-only salons present thought-provoking discussions on some of the greatest issues of our times.
Forum events take place in a truly participatory discussion format that ensures respectful dialogue, a wide-range of perspectives and ideas, and mutual learning.
We invite you to learn more about the Salt Spring Forum. The best way to become involved is to attend one of our many events. We also encourage you to become a member and support our work with a tax-deductible donation.
OUR NEXT EVENT.
Ron Deibert.
Chasing Shadows: Cyber Espionage, Subversion,
and the Global Fight for Democracy.
ArtSpring 7.30pm Thursday June 19th
Tickets available HERE
Ron Deibert is the founding Director of the world-renown Citizen Lab in the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, University of Toronto.
A Professor of Political Science, Ron was the 2020 Massey Lecturer.
The Citizen Lab researches cyber-espionage, commercial spyware, internet censorship and the effects that they have on human rights.
It helps journalists and activists around the world protect themselves against phone hacking and surveillance.
And it holds governments and companies to account when they use electronic methods to endanger journalists, persecute political opponents, and undermine democracy.
Is your cellphone really yours?
From the mercenary surveillance industry, to increasingly authoritarian governments, to our own national police – who might be listening into your calls and reading your texts and emails?
Ron Deibert’s most recent book, Chasing Shadows: Cyber Espionage, Subversion, and the Global Fight for Democracy (Simon and Schuster, 2025), reads like a thriller. It digs deep into the world of autocrats and corporate villains who spy on their targets through a digital ecosystem that’s hopelessly insecure and poorly regulated.
“No one has done more than Ron Deibert and his lab to expose the enemies of the internet” – Edward Snowden
Join us for a fascinating, worrying and all-important discussion of technology, privacy and personal security—and what we can do to protect ourselves.
For starters, when you come to this event, please leave your phone at home!
Salt Spring Islander Lucy Suchman will moderate the event. A professor emerita in the Department of Sociology at Lancaster University, UK, she is the author of Human-Machine Reconfigurations (Cambridge University Press).
The video for the candidates debate at Fulford hall on Tuesday April 15th is now up and available by clicking HERE
see who’s coming
See who we have coming up next at the Salt Spring Forum, both live and online guests.
recent speakers
The Forum has hosted some of the world's leading intellectuals, activists, political leaders, and thinkers.
““I am proud of what Forum does. And feel enlightened, broadened, glad to hear the unvarnished experiences of the speakers...” ”