Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise today in support of Bill C-25, the strong and free elections act. This bill represents a critical step in protecting the integrity of our free and fair elections, elections that guarantee that the voice of Canadians is heard, respected and reflected in the direction and governance of our country.
Canada is setting a strong example by protecting and securing our elections. The Canada Elections Act, which governs all aspects of federal elections, is known around the world for its electoral safeguards, its strict political financing rules, its spending limits and its stringent reporting requirements.
Much of the Canada Elections Act's success can be directly attributed to Parliament's tradition of regularly updating it in response to recommendations from experts and new election-related challenges. However, despite our global leadership, the threats facing democracies around the world are becoming increasingly sophisticated and continue to change quickly. As a result, we have the responsibility to be proactive and decisive in strengthening our electoral safeguards. That is exactly what Bill C-25 does.
Bill C-25 is based on recommendations from independent experts, including the Chief Electoral Officer and the Commissioner of Canada Elections, as well as on the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions, and it addresses some of the most pressing challenges facing our electoral system.
I would like to highlight the key electoral safeguards included in this important bill. To begin with, Bill C-25 extends essential electoral safeguards beyond the election campaign period. Currently, certain protections apply only once an election has been called. These include the rules prohibiting foreign individuals or organizations from unduly influencing a person’s vote, the prohibition on offering or accepting a bribe to influence a person’s vote and the prohibition on misleading publications falsely claiming to come from trusted electoral actors.
However, we know that our elections can be threatened at any time, whether or not we are in an election period. Bill C-25 therefore ensures that Canadians are protected from undue foreign influence and misleading publications at all times, not just after election writs are issued. This will not only protect our elections year-round, but it will also strengthen Canadians' confidence in the democratic process by sending a clear message that attempts at interference or misinformation are not tolerated here.
Just as importantly, the bill extends the application of key protection measures beyond Canada's borders. In today's digital and interconnected world, malicious actors can target our elections using cyber-attacks or disinformation campaigns originating from outside the country. Bill C‑25 also ensures that individuals outside Canada who seek to interfere in our elections can still be held accountable in this country. This includes prohibitions on undue influence by foreigners, offering or accepting bribes, impersonating persons such as candidates or the Chief Electoral Officer and using a computer to interfere with the conduct of an election.
By applying these robust electoral safeguards to offences originating abroad, Canada is sending a message that interference in our elections will not be tolerated under any circumstances, no matter where it the world it comes from. In this digital age, the spread of disinformation has become one of the greatest threats to our democratic processes. Bill C‑25 includes significant measures to combat disinformation that threatens to undermine, disrupt or influence elections and mislead voters.
Under this bill, it would now be illegal to knowingly spread false or misleading information about election activities or the voting process for the purpose of disrupting or influencing an election. This includes making false statements about who can vote, how to vote, where to vote, or even the results of an election. These measures are essential to ensure that Canadians receive accurate information when they go to the polls. It is also important to note that this measure does not restrict debate or limit opinions. The goal here is not to restrict free speech or punish honest mistakes, but rather to stop those with the deliberate intent to mislead Canadians, cause confusion or influence the outcome of our elections.
Canadian democracy thrives on informed participation, and Bill C‑25 protects the clarity and reliability of information that our voters receive, ensuring that disinformation has no place in our elections.
Another alarming and significant threat to electoral integrity stems from the deliberate and abusive use of advanced technologies. Whether we are talking about hacking or someone using realistic deepfakes of election officials in order to deceive voters, technology has opened new avenues for electoral interference. Bill C-25 directly addresses the dangers posed by the misuse of rapidly evolving and increasingly user-friendly technology. Consequently, the bill ensures that the existing offence under the Canada Elections Act involving the impersonation of election officials, such as the Chief Electoral Officer or candidates, includes realistic deepfakes created to deceive, whether through voice or image. However, the existing exceptions for parody and satire remain.
Bill C-25 also strengthens protections against the misuse of computers. It will be illegal to tamper or interfere with computer systems to disrupt the electoral process, including through hacking or deleting information. By taking this ever-evolving risk into account, this bill strengthens our ability to protect the technological infrastructure that lies at the heart of our electoral system.
Another safeguard in Bill C‑25 addresses a more practical challenge: the risk of overly long ballots. Long ballots can create barriers to accessible voting and disrupt election administration, causing unnecessary delays and confusion for voters and election workers, particularly those with disabilities. Specifically, once royal assent is granted, voters will be allowed to sign only one nomination paper per election, and each candidate must have their own official agent. These measures and others included in Bill C‑25 will prevent the creation of long, cumbersome ballots that complicate the voting process and the administration of elections in general. These measures also ensure that candidates run to represent voters. Furthermore, the bill ensures that election day will be as efficient as it is secure.
In conclusion, Canada's democracy is one of the strongest and most respected in the world. However, maintaining a fair and resilient electoral system requires constant vigilance and adaptation. By supporting Bill C‑25, we are strengthening the foundations of our democracy and taking necessary and proactive steps to protect our elections and our rights.