Fewer than half of Canadians have a high degree of trust that federal institutions tell the truth, say Privy Council researchers. A majority put more faith in family, friends and social media than government agencies, according to a report..“Who believes and spreads misinformation in the first place and why?” said a Privy Council Office report Misinformation And Disinformation. “Do our interventions work similarly for different sub-groups of people?”.“Relying solely on traditional top-down approaches that aim to regulate content are insufficient at limiting the immediate dangers of misinformation,” wrote researchers. “Innovative policy-making tools such as behavioural science can help provide immediate and long term solutions to misinformation.”.According to Blacklock's Reporter, a minority of Canadians surveyed, 42%, were “institution trusting” and had “high trust in institutional and authoritative sources of information” such as federal departments. “On average institution-trusting respondents are significantly older, more educated and have higher income,” wrote researchers..A total of 35% were defined as “high social media trusting” meaning they had more faith “in social media, family and friends” than government announcements. A third group, 23%, was rated “non-trusting” and skeptical of public institutions. “They exhibit relatively high conspiratorial thinking,” said Misinformation..The findings were based on questionnaires with 1,872 Canadians. The research was conducted by Impact Canada, a Privy Council think tank led by Rodney Ghali, assistant secretary to cabinet..“Exposure to false or misleading statements can cast doubt on official and factual information and can erode the integrity and credibility of democratic institutions and their ability to enhance public welfare through policy measures,” wrote researchers..Cabinet since 2019 has proposed regulation of legal internet content to prohibit words and imagery deemed false or harmful. No censor bill has been passed yet..The Department of Canadian Heritage in a July 29, 2021 Technical Paper and Discussion Guide said censorship should be broad-based to “prioritize a safe, open and inclusive internet where Canadians feel they can express themselves without being victimized or targeted.”.Then-Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault (Laurier–Sainte-Marie, QC) in a March 31, 2019 podcast said hurtful comments targeting government institutions or public office holders should be regulated. “I have seen firsthand alongside other Canadians the damaging effects harmful content has on our families, our values and our institutions,” he said..“I think everybody in this country, and especially elected officials, have I think a responsibility, a duty to ensure that we protect our institutions and that the last thing we should try to do is to somehow diminish them just in the hope we can score points,” Guilbeault said in Jan. 29, 2019 testimony at the Commons heritage committee..“I think there are other ways we can score political points. Of course, we’re political adversaries, I understand that, but certainly not at the expense of our institutions.”
