Canadian Election Interference Report Calls for Online Disinformation Watchdog
A comprehensive report released Tuesday by Mary-Josee Hogue, Commissioner of the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions, reveals a concerning landscape of online disinformation campaigns targeting Canadian elections. While exonerating parliamentarians of bad faith actions, the report paints a stark picture of foreign states actively attempting to undermine Canadian sovereignty and democratic processes through online manipulation. Hogue’s 51 recommendations center on the establishment of a new federal agency tasked with monitoring the internet for misinformation and disinformation aimed at disrupting Canadian elections.
The proposed entity would act as a central hub for coordinating efforts against online election interference, working in conjunction with national security and intelligence agencies, international partners, and relevant civil society and private organizations. Its mandate would include collecting and assessing open-source online information, while strictly adhering to privacy laws. Importantly, the report emphasizes that the agency’s role would not involve monitoring private communications or general social media activity of Canadians. Instead, its focus would be on identifying and responding to coordinated disinformation campaigns orchestrated by foreign states.
The report underscores the urgent need for a robust legal framework to combat online election interference. Hogue recommends amending the Canada Elections Act to explicitly prohibit the spread of false information intended to undermine the legitimacy of elections or their results. This prohibition would target individuals and entities knowingly spreading falsehoods with the specific goal of eroding public trust in the electoral process. Furthermore, the report proposes expanding existing laws against impersonation in elections to encompass deepfakes and other AI-generated content, while safeguarding parody and satire. To ensure transparency, all AI-generated electoral communications would be required to carry a watermark.
Beyond the creation of a new watchdog agency and legal reforms, the report emphasizes the importance of timely information sharing and proactive communication within the intelligence community and with affected individuals. Hogue recommends that CSIS and the RCMP establish a clear policy outlining their duty to inform both relevant security agencies and individuals who are suspected targets of foreign interference threats. This “duty to inform” would ensure that potential victims are aware of the risks they face and can take appropriate steps to protect themselves. Furthermore, the report calls for greater transparency in the handling of classified information, suggesting the creation of “written to release” versions of briefings that can be disseminated at lower classification levels or made public.
Transparency is also a key theme in the report’s recommendations regarding the role of the National Security and Intelligence Advisor (NSIA). Hogue proposes that each new prime minister publicly release mandate letters outlining the NSIA’s responsibilities, ensuring public understanding of this critical role. Additionally, the report calls for an "after-action report" following each election to assess the effectiveness of counter-interference measures and identify areas for improvement.
Recognizing the importance of community engagement and trust-building, Hogue recommends that intelligence agencies prioritize diversifying their personnel based on cultural, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds. This initiative aims to foster stronger relationships with communities that may feel marginalized or misunderstood by law enforcement and intelligence agencies, ultimately facilitating more effective cooperation in combating foreign interference. The report’s comprehensive recommendations represent a significant step towards safeguarding Canadian democracy from the growing threat of online disinformation and foreign interference in elections. By implementing these measures, Canada can strengthen its resilience against these insidious tactics and ensure the integrity of its democratic processes.