Russia-Proofing Your Election: Global lessons for protecting Canadian democracy against foreign interference

This report draws upon the experiences of other Western states that have faced active threats from Russian disinformation and the disruption of their democratic processes. Using the insights from these case studies – including Sweden, the three Baltic states, France, and Germany – the report outlines tools that Canada can use to protect its elections and the democratic processes that underpin them. In the upcoming 2019 federal election, Canadians should expect that narratives that threaten to divide Canadians on both the right and left – such as those that promote anti-immigration, anti-globalism, and anti-pipeline – will intensify. The Kremlin is not the exclusive source of threat; Iran and China have also been identified as threats. Regardless of the regime, proxy groups that are organized to sow mischief and promote pro-regime positions represent a serious threat to our democratic processes. Fortunately, Canadian authorities are well aware of the threat posed by Russian disinformation. The Canadian Security Establishment confirmed that the 2015 election was targeted by digital foreign interference. And Ottawa announced several major initiatives to counter foreign disinformation in January 2019. Many of these measures can be commended. Indeed, former Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, who is also a commissioner with the Transatlantic Commission for Election Integrity, has stated that Canada is in many ways leading the effort to address foreign disinformation. Yet, as he himself has acknowledged, when it comes to Canada’s efforts, we are “still not doing enough,” underscoring the depth of the challenge.