Tales from the Field

This chapter examines the operationalization of countering violent extremism (CVE) in Quebec through ethnographic fieldwork, highlighting the challenges of networking, competition, and hybridization among actors. Drawing on interviews, field notes, and insider observations, I trace the emergence of the Center for the Prevention of Radicalization Leading to Violence (CPRLV) alongside the Polarization team, emphasizing how funding structures, overlapping mandates, and the “all of society” approach shaped collaboration and rivalry within the CVE field. The chapter explores the integration of nontraditional actors—social workers, educators, health professionals—into networks traditionally dominated by high-policing agencies, showing how these actors contributed to an expanded flow of information for risk assessment while negotiating concerns about confidentiality and community trust. The chapter also analyzes how neoliberal governance frameworks, accountability mechanisms, and competitive funding intensified organizational pressures, influencing training, resource allocation, and interorganizational dynamics. By focusing on Quebec, this chapter illuminates the practical, political, and ethical complexities of CVE implementation, offering insights into how local actors navigate competing mandates, manage risk, and negotiate the boundaries between social intervention and security practices.