Statistics Canada is rejecting claims that a recent study on internet misinformation was politically motivated or intended to support the government’s push to regulate online content.“The report was not requested by any public authority,” said agency spokesperson Annick Irakoze, who explained the findings were based on public questionnaires. Blacklock's Reporter said the study explored the link between misinformation and declining trust in institutions but did not provide examples of false information or recommend policy action..Irakoze said respondents were told misinformation was defined as “news or information that is verifiably false or inaccurate,” regardless of whether the person sharing it knew it was untrue. She added that researchers did not assume misinformation was inherently harmful, noting “the impacts of misinformation on Canadian society are still being explored.”The report, Concern About Misinformation: Connections To Trust In Media, Confidence In Institutions, Civic Engagement And Hopefulness, suggested that false information was contributing to social polarization and weakening public trust.It found regional variation in concern levels, with 50% of Quebecers reporting high concern compared to 63% in Ontario, the Prairies, and British Columbia..Analysts cited demographic differences and a smaller pool of French-language news sources as possible reasons for the lower concern rate in Québec.The study comes amid ongoing debate over federal attempts to regulate internet content. Since 2021, cabinet has twice failed to pass legislation targeting legal online speech, citing the need to protect Canadians from hate. Hate speech has been outlawed under the Criminal Code since 1970.On June 13, Conservative MP Rachael Thomas accused the government of repeated attempts to censor speech.“Freedom of expression is the foundation of every other freedom,” she told the House of Commons. “The government does not trust Canadians to think independently, to speak freely or to make their own choices.”.Prime Minister Mark Carney signaled support for a third attempt in an April campaign speech, referring to “pollution online that washes over our virtual borders from the United States.”On June 3, Liberal-appointed Sen. Kris Wells said a group of senators would work toward new regulations, calling for a strong stance against hate and extremism.“I believe Canada must get tougher on hate,” said Wells. “Does this government remain committed to tabling legislation?”
