Elections Canada launches online tool to tackle voting ‘misconceptions’

Elections Canada has launched an online tool to tackle “misconceptions” related to the election process as some are warning that fake content and inaccurate information could be rampant in 2024 and coming years due to the use of artificial intelligence.

The online tool, called Electofacts, is meant as a resource for Canadians to check whether information they find on the electoral process is true or not, the webpage states.

It says studies have shown that there is false or misleading election-related content on social media and links to a McGill University study, but notes that Elections Canada is “not the arbiter of truth” and does not monitor the accuracy of content posted on social media by politicians.

“We can, however, provide correct information about the administration of federal elections,” the webpage reads.

“We are doing this because it is important; Canadians should have easily accessible and accurate information about the federal electoral process directly from the source.”

In an email to Global News, Elections Canada said the goal of the webpage is to be a useful resource for Canadians.

The tool lists “narratives” that it says are some of the most prevalent misconceptions observed by Elections Canada.

Examples of those include the claim that Elections Canada lost, ignored or refused 205,000 mail-in ballots during the 2021 election, to which Elections Canada said, “Elections Canada counted all the mail-in ballots (special ballots) that it received by the election day statutory deadline and that were not spoiled.

“We cannot count special ballots that are never sent back to us or are returned after election day. This is clearly stated in the Canada Elections Act. By law, we cannot even open the envelopes that contain