Government of Canada unveils plan to safeguard Canada’s 2019 election

Ottawa, January 30, 2019 – Canada’s electoral system is strong. As we approach the next federal election, we recognize the importance of protecting Canadians from foreign interference, protecting our democracy, and ensuring our next election is fair and free.

Today, the Minister of Democratic Institutions, the Honourable Karina Gould, along with the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, and the Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Harjit Sajjan, announced Canada’s plan to defend Canadian democracy from threats.

The government is announcing a series of actions across a number of areas that will further strengthen our electoral system. The plan includes four pillars.

Enhancing citizen preparedness

Foreign and malicious actors are becoming more creative at using online platforms to manipulate opinions. Canadians can be the best line of defence in our efforts to fight foreign interference and disinformation by becoming better informed about the tactics used online to deceive.

Improving organizational readiness

In order to strengthen security practices, government systems will improve coordination to identify threats, emerging tactics and systems vulnerabilities.

Combatting foreign interference

Canada’s security agencies will work to prevent covert, clandestine or criminal activities by foreign actors from interfering in our electoral processes.

Expecting social media platforms to act

Disinformation online can create confusion and exploit existing social tensions. The government is looking for concrete actions to increase transparency, authenticity and integrity on their systems to help safeguard our election.

Canadians can continue to rely on Canada’s strong electoral process, including:

• The election management and enforcement regime, comprised of the Chief Electoral Officer and the Commissioner of Canada Elections;
• The use of paper ballots by our federal election system; and
• New measures introduced in Bill C-76, The Elections Modernization Act.