The plan to protect Canada’s democracy
The Government of Canada is committed to protecting our democracy from threats, including foreign interference, while ensuring our elections remain free, fair and secure.
In 2019, the Government launched the Plan to Protect Canada’s Democracy to protect Canadians and defend our democratic system. It includes measures to strengthen Canada’s electoral system against threats. The Plan was reviewed and independently in 2021 to confirm its relevance, and continued effectiveness as a tool to help keep our democracy strong.
Plan overview
The Plan to Protect Canada’s Democracy includes concrete measures to strengthen our electoral systems against cyberattacks, misinformation and disinformation, and foreign interference.
The Plan focuses on four key pillars of action:
- Enhancing citizen preparedness;
- Improving organizational readiness;
- Combatting foreign interference; and
- Building a healthy information ecosystem.
Pillars of action to safeguard Canada’s electoral system
Pillar 1: Enhancing citizen preparedness
Canada’s best defence against foreign interference is to ensure citizens are informed and prepared. Foreign malicious actors use online platforms to manipulate, and Canadians can build resilience against these threats with better awareness of the tactics and methods they use.
Here are of some of the ways the Government supports citizen preparedness.
1.1 Coordinated Response to Threats to Elections (CRTE)
Canada’s approach to responding to threats to elections has evolved over the years based on lessons learned and recommendations from reviews and the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference.
The Cabinet Directive on the Coordinated Response to Threats to Elections helps ensure Canadians are informed of incidents that threaten the integrity of a federal election.
Recent updates include:
- Strengthening the Panel’s role in coordinating a whole-of-government response
- Improving public communication about threats and mitigation measures
- Adding an external Panel member selected by consensus of recognized political parties and leaders in the Senate
- Publishing a post-election report submitted to the Prime Minister and the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians
1.2 Digital Citizen Initiative
Led by Canadian Heritage, the Digital Citizen Initiative (DCI) helps Canadians build resilience against online disinformation and promotes a healthy information ecosystem.
Among the initiatives funded through the DCI, the Digital Citizen Contribution Program, provides funding assistance for research and citizen-focused activities that counter misinformation and disinformation, and strengthen democracy.
1.3 Canadian Digital Media Research Network
Launched in 2023, the Canadian Digital Media Research Network (CDMRN) studies how online disinformation affects Canadians and supports evidence-based digital literacy strategies. The Media Ecosystem Observatory, an initiative led by McGill University and the University of Toronto, independently oversees the CDMRN.
1.4 Protecting Democracy Toolkits and Guidebook
In 2024, the Government of Canada released Protecting Democracy Toolkits and a guide for public servants - Countering Disinformation: A Guidebook for Public Servants. These resources help community leaders, elected officials and public office holders, and public servants recognize and combat disinformation and foreign interference, in an effort to raise awareness and build public resilience to threats against Canada’s democratic institutions.
1.5 Get Cyber Safe
The Cyber Centre’s Get Cyber Safe national public awareness campaign educates Canadians about online security, including threats to Canada’s democratic processes.
Cyber Threat Reports produced by the Cyber Centre also aim to keep Canadians informed about cyber threats targeting national elections and their potential impacts on Canada.
Learn more about:
Pillar 2: Improving organizational readiness
Strengthening security practices and improving government systems are essential to identifying and addressing evolving threats to Canada’s electoral processes.
The Government of Canada is improving organizational readiness by:
- Enhancing coordination among government departments and agencies to identify threats, emerging tactics, system vulnerabilities, and strengthen security practices and behaviours;
- Advising political parties on cyber security and offering technical advice on online security measures and internal security best practices;
- Sensitizing decision-makers to the risks of foreign interference; and
- Providing classified threat briefings to political party leadership.
Learn more about efforts to improve organizational readiness.
Pillar 3: Combatting foreign interference
To protect Canadian elections, Canada’s security agencies prevent foreign interference through covert, clandestine or criminal activities.
Here are of some of the ways the Government is combatting foreign interference.
3.1 Security and Intelligence Threats to Elections Task Force
Chaired by the Privy Council Office (PCO), the Security Intelligence Threats to Elections (SITE) Task Force brings together experts from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), the Communications Security Establishment (CSE), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), and the Royal Canadian Mounted Policy (RCMP) to identify and mitigate hostile attempts to interfere in Canadian democracy. During election periods, the SITE Task Force provides critical intelligence for decision-making, situational awareness, and readiness.
3.2 G7 Rapid Response Mechanism
Canada, as the permanent Chair of the G7 Rapid Response Mechanism, collaborates with international partners to detect and counter growing threats. Led by Global Affairs Canada (GAC), this work is done through open-source analysis, data sharing, and coordinated responses to foreign information operations that jeopardize democratic systems.
Pillar 4: Building a healthy information ecosystem
Disinformation can mislead, create confusion and fuel social division. To protect Canada’s democracy from these threats, the Government works to ensure transparency and accountability with regards to online election-related content.
One example of this work is the Statement of Canadian Democratic Principles, a Government of Canada initiative that brings together citizens, civil society, and the tech industry in a united effort to defend and strengthen Canadian democracy. In light of growing foreign interference and AI-enabled disinformation, the statement provides social media and online platforms with a clear framework to protect the integrity of Canada's federal elections.
Building on Canada's recognized track record of democratic leadership, the statement calls on every member of society to play a meaningful role in upholding transparency, authenticity, and accountability. Grounded in collaboration and supported by international agreements, this statement represents a step toward a more resilient democracy, and safeguarding the democratic values that make Canada strong.