The Chief Executive of Elections Canada recommends that changes be made to the law to combat foreign interference in elections and the dissemination of false information.
Stéphane Perrault calls for the creation of a new offense prohibiting making false statements with the aim of damaging the conduct of an election — for example, claiming that the results have been manipulated.
In a report released on Tuesday, it also suggests that MPs ban hate groups from registering as political parties, which would give them the names and addresses of all voters.
Mr. Perrault also calls for an update of election laws in the digital age and suggests that platforms be required to publish policies on how they will deal with content that misleads voters.
He recommends tightening rules to prevent third-party groups supporting political parties or seeking to influence elections from receiving funding from abroad.
The head of Elections Canada also advises MPs to extend current rules designed to end foreign interference during elections to the period before the kick-off of the campaign.
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