The AI Threat to Canadian Democracy: Fighting for Digital Sovereignty

In the wake of Mark Carney’s election victory a recent Leger poll showed that over 75 percent of Canadians believed mis/disinformation influenced the results to some degree. In today’s landscape, election interference has become a pressing concern, especially in Canada, fueled by the increasing sophistication of mis/disinformation campaigns, deepfakes, and the overall dangers of artificial intelligence (AI). The bottom line is that election interference through social media is a growing threat to Canada’s digital sovereignty.

In 2024, the Canadian government passed the Countering Foreign Interference Act, which aims to tackle covert foreign influence by establishing a public registry, enhancing the powers of intelligence agencies, and introducing new criminal penalties. Despite this, during the election, The Logic, a leading sources of business and technology news in Canada, reported that 25 percent of Canadian voters encountered content that mimicked legitimate news sources. This alarming trend reflects the rise of digital threats that undermine the integrity of democratic processes.

Such digital vulnerability had prompted Canada’s elections watchdog to raise concerns before the 2025 federal election, warning that AI tools, deepfakes, and social media manipulation could pose significant risks to the integrity of the electoral process, Here, AI not only threatens the fairness of elections, but it can also undermine Canada’s digital sovereignty, allowing bad actors to pollute the information ecosystem. For example, the CBC reported on a slew of clickbait scams in March, tied to Carney’s candidacy. They ranged from scams endorsing investment platforms, to cryptocurrencies, and more.

Fenwick McKelvey, an assistant professor of information and communication technology policy at Concordia University recently observed that, “Generative AI arrives at a pretty dysfunctional moment in our online media ecosystem, so I don’t think it’s necessarily driving the challenges we face, but it doesn’t help.” This form of digital manipulation, he noted, exacerbates the difficulty of safeguarding election integrity, particularly in a media environment where even the most recognizable public figures can be digitally reconstructed to mislead voters.

Another interference tactic in use involves “deepfake” videos that spread mis/disinformation. According to The Guardian, a deepfake is a type of video or audio manipulation in which AI is used to create realistic but entirely fabricated content, often making it appear as though someone is saying or doing something they never actually did. One alarming example was a deepfake of Prime Minister Carney that was manipulated to appear as though he was making controversial statements in an interview with a CBC reporter. This type of AI-generated content can easily contort public opinion and skew election outcomes.

During Canada’s 2025 federal election, bots were also widely used to spread false and misleading information. Bots are automated software programs designed to mimic human behaviour and have been used to amplify false or misleading content, inflating engagement metrics to create a false sense of credibility. A Financial Times analysis revealed a coordinated network of suspicious accounts posting on X in the lead up to the election, many of which exhibited bot-like behaviour, promoting right-wing narratives. About 80 percent of posts analysed by the Financial Times on the platform were critical of Carney, while most posts favoured Poilievre. The broader objective behind this manipulation is clear, to deepen political divisions and erode public trust in the democratic process.

Addressing Gaps in Canada’s Digital Accountability and Governance

While Canada has implemented some measures to combat bots and mis/disinformation, though G7 initiatives such as the Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) which helps identify mis/disinformation spread by foreign actors, its domestic efforts have lagged. The government has invested $17.6 million CAD in digital literacy campaigns aimed at providing basic skills such as using computer programs like word processors and email, accessing online knowledge resources, and making secure transactions, for instance. However, these programs do not yet address emerging challenges like AI-generated content, foreign interference, or enforcement against coordinated mis/disinformation campaigns.

This is due to the rapidly evolving digital landscape, which makes it difficult to keep up with emerging threats. Additionally, global platforms complicate regulation due to their cross-border nature, further hindering Canada’s ability to enforce rules effectively. Additionally, Canada lacks effective enforcement methods to address these issues. In contrast, countries in the European Union have adopted stronger regulations, such as the Digital Services Act (DSA). This mandates platforms to be transparent with their moderation and imposes fines for non-compliance with rules surrounding the promotion of mis/disinformation.

As concerns about AI-driven manipulation and foreign interference grow, it is increasingly clear that Canada’s digital infrastructure lacks the regulatory backbone needed to respond. A 2023 Yale report found that social media platforms, once seen as tools for democratizing information, now often amplify and reward divisive content. This, in turn, influences public opinion and deepens societal divides. Emily Laidlaw, the Canada Research Chair in cybersecurity law at the University of Calgary, points out that digital governance was scarcely addressed in this election campaign by any of the parties. As Canadians, it is crucial that we recognize the growing importance of digital governance in today’s world. In addition, Canada has both the opportunity and the responsibility to lead the way globally by developing proactive digital governance policies before these challenges become insurmountable.

While the US has recently dismantled key countermeasures against mis/disinformation, such as defunding the Global Engagement Center, cutting National Science Foundation grants for mis/disinformation research, and even targeting those who study the issue, Canada must chart its own course to strengthen its digital resilience.

Canadians must also recognize the influence of foreign-owned platforms on our collective news consumption. Much of the information we receive comes from platforms that don’t always prioritize our best interests, with some even actively undermining them. A prime example is X, where CEO Elon Musk has made controversial statements, including referring to Canada’s former Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, as the “governor” of Canada. Notably, a recent study revealed that X’s algorithm disproportionately amplifies right-wing content and boosts Musk’s posts overall. With nearly 33 million social media users in Canada, this platform holds significant sway with many, allowing foreign actors to potentially influence Canadian opinions and sow distrust in our democratic institutions.

The consequences of Canada’s limited regulatory leverage over foreign tech platforms became especially clear in the wake of the 2023 Online News Act, which was created to support Canadian journalism by requiring major platforms like Meta and Google to compensate news outlets for sharing their content. However, the Act exposed how little control Canada holds over these digital giants. While Google eventually agreed to a $100 million annual deal, Meta retaliated by blocking news links for Canadian users altogether. This response not only undermined the spirit of the legislation but also leaves Canadians more vulnerable to mis/disinformation as a result.

Despite the blocking of Canadian journalism on Meta platforms, Facebook remains a primary source of news for nearly 57 percent of Canadians. This begs one to question the credibility of the news and information that Canadians are witnessing on such platforms. Aengus Bridgman, director of the Media Ecosystem Observatory, an interdisciplinary collaboration between McGill University and the University of Toronto captured the irony, noting: “It is completely absurd that Meta has blocked news but continues to profit off of fake news websites that imitate the news that they block…”

The decline of credible news sources available to Canadians is becoming increasingly apparent. According to Canadaland, Regina’s most popular news source in 2023 was a Facebook page run by a local garbage company, “Just Bins,” which even won a local “Best of” award for news. This situation highlights a significant shift in how Canadians access information, relying on platforms like Facebook rather than traditional news outlets. As a result, credible journalism is being overshadowed by less reliable, often sensationalized sources. This trend reflects the growing challenges within Canada’s information ecosystem, where mis/disinformation can spread easily, and the distinction between factual news and entertainment becomes increasingly blurred.

Because Canada remains vulnerable as AI and social media tactics outpace regulations, many Canadians are disengaging from the media due to fatigue and mistrust, a trend known as news avoidance. However, a recent survey by McGill’s Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy also found that 78 percent of Canadians want the CBC to continue operating, with 57 percent supporting stable or increased funding. Moreover, 79 percent believe public broadcasters like the CBC remain essential or even more important in the digital age. Encouraging Canadians to turn to trusted non-partisan outlets like the CBC, which provide verified and reliable news, is vital to rebuilding public trust, combating mis/disinformation, and prevent news avoidance.

The Risk Posed by Foreign Nations

The recent Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference, led by Commissioner Justice Marie-Josée Hogue highlighted the role that foreign actors like China, Russia, and Iran have in influencing Canada’s digital spaces. A key example was a disinformation campaign by Youli-Youmian a major WeChat account tied to the Chinese Communist Party, which sought to manipulate Canadian political discourse. Notably, WeChat is not a small platform, having 1 billion monthly active global users. This underscores the influence that such social media platforms can have on Canadians

In 2021, for example, Conservative MP Michael Chong faced retaliation after sponsoring a motion condemning China’s treatment of Uyghurs. Chong and his family were allegedly targeted by Chinese authorities, including diplomat Zhao Wei, who was later expelled by Canada as a result. Despite this, disinformation campaigns against Chong continued on platforms like WeChat, damaging his reputation and promoting pro-Beijing narratives. This case underscores the growing threat of foreign interference, particularly through alternative digital platforms, and the effect that they could have on Canadian politics.

Moving Forward: What Needs to Be Done

Canada must urgently develop a robust and adaptive digital governance framework to safeguard its sovereignty and democracy. The Trudeau government made initial efforts through several bills, including Bill C-27: The Digital Charter Implementation, Bill C-63: The Online Harms Act, as well as Bill C-26: An Act respecting cyber security, amending the Telecommunications Act and making consequential amendments to other Acts. However, these initiatives were paused when the latest federal election was called and now need to be resumed and updated to address challenges like AI threats and mis/disinformation. 

Indeed, to effectively combat AI threats and mis/disinformation, Canada must prioritize stronger, comprehensive regulations. Building on past initiatives and taking cues from frameworks like the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), the government needs to enforce stricter rules on tech platforms and invest in domestic digital infrastructure to protect Canada’s digital sovereignty.

As Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, Evan Solomon should carefully consider these issues and ensure they are addressed through effective policies and enforcement. His leadership is essential to making sure Canada’s digital governance keeps pace with evolving risks.