Misinformation
Often known as “fake news,” misinformation (and other related items such as disinformation and malinformation) is damaging to public trust in institutions and can pose serious challenges to our democracy.
Learning to spot misinformation helps protect election integrity by limiting the spread of false information. To identify misinformation, evaluate the information critically and take the time to review the sources and messaging. When viewing content in any form, ask yourself the following questions:
- Does it provoke an emotional response?
- Does it make a bold statement on a controversial issue?
- Is it an extraordinary claim?
- Does it contain clickbait?
- Does it use small pieces of valid information that are exaggerated or distorted?
- Has it spread virally on unvetted or loosely vetted platforms?
While none of these prove definitively that the content is misinformation, they can encourage you to investigate the matter more fully, especially before sharing it online.
Foreign interference
Foreign interference in the context of elections occurs when a foreign state or someone acting for that state attempts to influence a Canadian election in a deceptive way. Some examples of potential foreign interference might be illegal contributions to candidates or registered political parties, misinformation, or even outright intimidation. These actions can occur at any point in the democratic process from the selection of candidates through to the certification of results following voting.
Foreign interference activities are usually done secretly to avoid detection, but foreign interference activity can be mitigated. For example:
- National security services, such as the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), which collects and assesses intelligence about foreign state activities, can detect and respond to interference attempts.
- Electoral management bodies, such as Elections Saskatchewan, can enforce election legislation that prohibits foreign campaign financing.
- Members of the public can report activities that may constitute foreign interference to the appropriate agency.
CSIS has published Foreign Interference and You that provides information on what individuals and organizations can do to mitigate the threat.
Threats to election security
Any threat to election workers, technology or processes is also a threat to election integrity.
This includes any attempt to:
- Intimidate or threaten election workers
- Disrupt election processes at voting places
- Suppress voting or illegally influence voters
- Commit voter fraud
- Compromise election technology
Activities that compromise election security are serious offences under the Election Act and it is up to all of us to ensure that elections are conducted safely and fairly.