I'm not an expert on the Canada Elections Act. I was specifically referring to influencers with regard to that, as well as speech and promotions during elections. There is what can be done in the immediate term, what can be done in the medium term and what can be done in the long term.
In the immediate term, this is a challenging environment. Platforms are currently under pressure in the United States to adhere to a “free speech first” approach, which they interpret as meaning the platform can do whatever it wants in terms of algorithmic amplification, and that is an extension of free speech. Whatever the algorithm decides is an extension of free speech. While I have trouble with this, it is the interpretation of the United States, which makes any unilateral action by Canada very difficult: To wit, we probably cannot engage super effectively in this unilaterally. We should instead look to other countries, to partnerships and to joint regimes that can encourage this degree of transparency.
I would suggest that our best ally in this is the European Union, with the DMA and the DSA. Its approach to mandating data transparency has really entered into a greater degree of force. Its approach to mandating data transparency, which has really entered into a greater degree of force, is not without issues. The EU is also undergoing geopolitical battles in relation to data access and attempting to ensure that these platforms maximize democratic values alongside social connectedness. That is certainly the approach Canada should take. I think the European Union would be willing to and supportive of trying to align there. In some ways, the online harms act was getting to some of this.