Elections Canada has been in touch with social media platforms about election misinformation

As Canada gears up for an upcoming election campaign, the head of Elections Canada, Chief Electoral Officer Stephane Perrault, has been actively working to address concerns about misinformation spreading on social media platforms. Perrault has been in touch with major platforms such as X and TikTok to seek their support in ensuring the integrity of the election process.

In a recent statement, TikTok, whose parent company is Chinese-owned, announced that they are ramping up efforts to safeguard their platform during Canada’s federal election season. This includes removing harmful misinformation about civic and electoral processes, partnering with fact-checkers, and labeling claims that cannot be verified.

Perrault emphasized the importance of Canadians relying on Elections Canada as the authoritative source of information about the electoral process. He also urged citizens not to let their social media feeds dictate what they read and to be vigilant in spotting misinformation.

To combat misinformation online, Elections Canada is launching a new online tool called “ElectoFacts” that will list and debunk inaccurate information circulating on the internet. Perrault also encouraged voters to report any misinformation they come across to Elections Canada for verification.

The issue of foreign interference in Canadian democracy has been a growing concern, with a recent public inquiry highlighting misinformation and disinformation as the biggest threat to democracy. Commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue emphasized the need to address information manipulation, whether foreign or domestic, to safeguard the democratic process.

In response to these concerns, the government has established two panels to monitor for foreign interference during federal elections. The Critical Election Incident Public Protocol Panel and the Security and Intelligence Threats to Elections (SITE) task force are working to identify and address potential threats to the electoral process.

While there have been concerns about the panels’ responsiveness in the past, officials assured the public that they are actively monitoring for interference at both the national and riding-specific levels. They emphasized the need for transparency and proactive measures to address misinformation and disinformation.

As Canada prepares for the upcoming election, it is crucial for voters to stay informed and vigilant in spotting misinformation. By working together with social media platforms and government agencies, Elections Canada is striving to ensure a secure and fair electoral process for all Canadians.