On Thursday, Manitoba passed five bills before its fall break, including one to combat election disinformation and impose fines for spreading deepfake videos of political candidates. The New Election Misinformation Bill, introduced in March, allows fines of up to $20,000 daily for sharing misleading election information or deepfakes. It aims to safeguard elections from controversies like those seen in the U.S. and also lowers maximum contributions to political candidates while establishing complaint systems for party advertisements.
Experts highlight that Canadians are increasingly aware of disinformation’s threat to democracy but note that Canada’s policy response remains limited compared to other countries that have enacted strict measures against online misinformation. The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives argues for stronger regulations and accountability for platforms, particularly against U.S.-based entities like X and Meta, which have become hubs for misinformation. The report points out that Canada’s existing tools are insufficient in combating the disinformation problem.
Ahead of the 2025 federal elections, a report noted that more than a quarter of Canadians encountered fake political content on social media. Recent legislation has led to a blockade on sharing Canadian news on Meta platforms, stemming from a dispute over the Online News Act, which requires tech companies to compensate media outlets. The situation underscores the need for enhanced protections against disinformation, especially as platforms continue to amplify misleading content.
