Computer (Dreamstime)

By Connor Gunn

Canadian government providing support to counter disinformation

Mar 16, 2022 | 3:14 PM

OTTAWA, ON – The Canadian government is looking to combat harmful misinformation and disinformation.

Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage, announced funding of $2.5 million to launch initiatives that help people identify misinformation and disinformation online.

The government release states, “As the pandemic continues into its third year and the Russian invasion of Ukraine now threatens democracies around the world, we need to do more to counter the growing spread of harmful misinformation.”

The federal government says these funded projects will help increase civic literacy, promote critical thinking when it comes to validating sources of information, and build capacity in Canada to fight disinformation online.

Through a Digital Citizen Initiative (DCI), the government says Canadians can build “resilience” against incorrect information and build partnerships to support a healthy digital information society.

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Rodriguez says, “There is an urgency to act. As Canadians, we can’t tolerate disinformation and propaganda. Democracy didn’t happen by accident. We need to fight for it. Canadians can play a role in pointing out and stopping the spread of misinformation and harmful disinformation.”

He adds, “We can choose to advance a new, shared vision of democracy in the digital age. It begins with digital inclusion, where an informed and engaged Canadian public can participate meaningfully in society, both online and offline.”

The government has several targeted and specialized organizations that are already doing work on the implementation of disinformation countermeasures. They plan to work with these organizations and other stakeholders going forward.

The release states, “These projects are reaching Canadians on a national and local scale, online and offline, in minority communities, in both official languages, and in Indigenous communities.”

More information can be found at Canada.ca.