During the recent federal election in the spring, there were instances of false information and interference attempts, but Elections Canada confirmed that these actions did not influence the results of the 45th general election. According to Elections Canada’s post-election report released on Monday, neither the agency nor the Security and Intelligence Threats to Elections Task Force identified any foreign interference, criminal activities, cybersecurity incidents, or coordinated disinformation campaigns affecting the election process.
Stéphane Perrault, the Chief Electoral Officer, highlighted that unlike the 2021 federal election, there were no detected incidents involving foreign countries trying to disrupt the administration of the spring election. Elections Canada actively maintained electoral integrity by proactively identifying and countering false and misleading information through official communication channels. The agency increased its social media outreach by posting 1,531 messages on platforms such as X, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, up from 1,059 messages during the previous election.
Additionally, Elections Canada released 26 videos on election integrity and provided six informative videos on voting procedures to assist the public. The agency aimed to combat misinformation, enhance transparency, and expand its digital presence to promote an informed public discourse on the electoral process.
The total cost of the recent federal election was estimated at $570 million, slightly lower than the $574.2 million spent on the previous election. One challenge identified by Perrault was the surge in special ballots and advanced polling, especially in the context of a minority government where elections can occur with short notice. The rise in early voting has necessitated changes in the electoral process, with nearly half of all voters opting for early voting in the latest election.
The increase in early voting led to delays in issuing voter information cards but did not impact the voting process significantly. Elections Canada is conducting a review of special ballot usage to implement improvements for future elections. The agency may require additional time beyond the standard 36-day election period to handle the growing volume of special and advance ballots effectively.
Regarding security incidents, Elections Canada reported 44 incidents during the 45th federal election, with 29 incidents requiring police intervention. These incidents included physical assaults, disruptive behaviors, and confrontations over voter identification requirements. Emergency measures were also taken in response to flooding in northern Ontario communities, allowing affected individuals to vote at special polling stations.
Overall, Elections Canada’s efforts to safeguard the electoral process and address challenges during the recent election reflect a commitment to ensuring the integrity and transparency of Canada’s democratic system.
