Who is responsible for the spreading of political misinformation in Canada?

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Who is responsible for the spreading of political misinformation in Canada over the last year?

Key Actors Responsible for Spreading Political Misinformation in Canada (2024–2025)

The spread of political misinformation in Canada over the past year has been driven by a combination of domestic and foreign actors, with several sources and platforms playing prominent roles.

Major Contributors:

• Social Media Platforms:
  Social networks such as Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) are consistently identified as leading sources of misinformation. A 2024 Leger report found that 77% of Canadians see Facebook as responsible for spreading disinformation, followed closely by other platforms and internet search engines 6 4. These platforms amplify misleading content due to algorithms that prioritize engagement, making them central to the rapid dissemination of false information.

• Politicians and Political Parties:
  Canadian politicians, most notably Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, have been singled out by fact-checkers and analysts as major spreaders of political misinformation and, at times, disinformation. Poilievre has been documented repeating misleading claims on topics such as election timing, drug policy, and climate change, even after being corrected by fact-checkers 3. This pattern is seen as part of a broader trend in which political figures use misinformation to mobilize supporters and undermine trust in institutions.

• Foreign State Actors:
  The Russian and Chinese governments are widely perceived by Canadians as key instigators of disinformation campaigns targeting Canadian society and politics, with 73% and 66% of respondents, respectively, identifying them as responsible 6 8. These campaigns aim to sow doubt, polarize public discourse, and erode trust in democratic processes, rather than necessarily change electoral outcomes.

• Political Activist Groups and Online Influencers:
  Political activist groups and influencers also play a significant role, with 72% of Canadians attributing some responsibility to activist groups for the spread of disinformation 6. Influencers and bloggers, whether intentionally or unintentionally, can amplify false narratives to large audiences.

• Traditional and Partisan Media Outlets:
  While traditional media is generally more trusted than social media, certain partisan outlets and some mainstream media have also contributed to the spread of misinformation, either by perpetuating myths or through selective reporting that reinforces pre-existing biases 7. Exposure to foreign media, particularly from the United States, has also been linked to increased belief in misinformation among Canadians 7.

Summary Table: Top Sources Perceived Responsible for Disinformation in Canada 6

Institutional Response

Elections Canada and other authorities have acknowledged the seriousness of the threat, launching resources like "ElectoFacts" to counter misinformation and urging Canadians to rely on official sources for information about the electoral process 4 5. The Chief Electoral Officer has also highlighted the existential risk posed by both domestic and foreign disinformation campaigns to Canadian democracy 4.

Conclusion

The responsibility for spreading political misinformation in Canada over the past year is shared among social media platforms, politicians (with Pierre Poilievre as a particularly prominent example), foreign governments (notably Russia and China), activist groups, and certain media outlets. The combined effect of these actors continues to challenge the integrity of Canadian democracy and public trust in institutions 3 4 6 8.

Souce: perplexity.ai 2025-04-28

Related: What specific examples of misinformation has Pierre Poilievre been involved in?