Canada’s Elections Are Secure. Don’t Let American-Style Denialism Take Root.
While Canadians are cutting back on imports of many American products, one of the United States’ most unfortunate exports is still finding its way over the border: Election denialism, or more specifically, pre-emptive election denialism.
On social media, a small but vocal group is attempting to undermine public confidence in the integrity of Canada’s election process. I will not link to those posts directly (as some of them involve unconscionable disrespect to poll workers) to avoid giving them more oxygen, but it is important to promptly push back to stop misinformation from spreading.
The crux of the argument is that by encouraging people to use pencils to vote, Elections Canada is somehow engaged in a conspiracy to erase your vote later on. One post explicitly claimed (falsely) that the “Liberals” were seeking to change the votes of Canadians.
Those claims are part of a fabricated narrative.
Here’s the truth:
First, while Elections Canada keeps pencils on site for use by voters, voters are allowed to bring their own pen or pencil. Were the use of pencils part of a conspiracy, why would Elections Canada allow voters to bring their own writing implement?
Second, as noted in the Canada Elections Act, after a voter marks their ballot, the election officer verifies that it is the same one issued to that voter by checking the serial number and initials. The counterfoil is then removed and destroyed in full view of the voter, after which the voter may place the ballot in the box or ask the officer to do so.
Third, during advance voting (the process about which some are making false claims) ballots are kept in sealed envelopes that are opened and counted on Election Day. Scrutineers from all major parties are present during the unsealing of ballot boxes, the opening of advanced vote envelopes, and the vote count, ensuring transparency throughout.
Fourth, Elections Canada workers are not partisan officials. They are made up of Canadian citizens who are at least 16 years old on election day and who are non-partisan. Federal ministers, provincial ministers, senators, sitting MPs, sitting provincial legislators, candidates from the previous federal election, former MPs (from the previous session), and anyone found guilty of breaking electoral law at the federal, provincial, or municipal level in the past seven years, are barred from serving as poll workers.
The process is explicitly designed to prevent even a hint of partisanship.
Canada’s Elections are Secure
Canada faces many challenges. Many of our institutions need to be strengthened, and renewing public trust is crucial. However, we can take pride in the fact that federal elections in Canada are free, fair, and secure. Our elections are well run. Your vote will be counted accurately.
In an era of hybrid threats, the erosion of electoral trust, whether instigated abroad or amplified through social media, weakens Canada’s cohesion. It is now up to Canadians to meet this challenge not with outrage, but with clarity, vigilance, and a shared commitment to democratic legitimacy.
Whatever the outcome on April 28th, it will reflect the will of the Canadian people, and it will be legitimate.
Spencer Fernando
Image – YouTube
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