Concerns Grow Over AI in Upcoming Canadian Election

Election officials warn that bad actors might use artificial intelligence to interfere with Canada’s next federal election.

During their testimony before a parliamentary committee and in conversations with reporters on Tuesday, David Morrison, deputy minister of foreign affairs, and Nathalie Drouin, national security adviser to Prime Minister Mark Carney, indicated that foreign adversaries are likely to leverage the rapidly advancing technology.

The two specifically highlighted the increasing prevalence of deepfakes – realistic synthetic or altered images and videos created using AI.

“Look at how fast all this is going,” Morrison told reporters. “I don’t know when the next election is going to be but it’s a tool that all adversaries will use.”

Drouin mentioned that attempts to disrupt the election using AI could originate from foreign entities or even individuals aiming to create chaos.

“AI [proliferation] is exponential so I think that as we go, we’re going to see more and more,” Drouin told reporters. “I think we can expect that. Hopefully, AI will help us to detect AI. Hopefully.”

Drouin and Morrison both participated on a panel of senior public servants responsible for monitoring any signs of foreign interference ahead of the 2025 general election.

Morrison noted that government officials had anticipated attempts to use AI during the last election but did not observe any incidents.

Deputy foreign affairs minister David Morrison says those trying to interfere with Canada’s elections are constantly evolving their tactics. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)

Liberal MP Arielle Kayabaga inquired whether there should be a requirement for labeling AI-generated videos.

“I think AI is getting so good, compared with a couple of years ago when it first started, where you can’t actually tell what’s real and not real,” she said. “I am a millennial. I consider myself an internet-savvy person but lately my Gen Z teenager tells me you constantly fall for the AI fakes.”

Morrison responded by saying that simply labeling videos isn’t an easy fix.

“Our adversaries in this space are continually evolving their tactics. So it’s only a matter of time and we do need to very vigilant – whether the ultimate solution comes through labelling or something else,” he said.

“This needs to be a whole-of-society effort.”

Meanwhile, Drouin informed the committee that the government has initiated cyber briefings for MPs and provided training aimed at helping them identify deepfake images or videos.

Drouin stated that officials observed some attempts at interference during the previous election, such as efforts by China targeting a Conservative candidate’s campaign, activities by Russia related to online interference, and attempts utilizing politicians’ names for promoting cryptocurrency ventures.

However, Drouin clarified that these detected efforts did not reach levels significant enough to impact election outcomes.

“We expected that foreign interference activities would happen and we were prepared for them,” said Drouin. “But despite their existence during the election the panel, informed by the task force activities, was able to determine that none reached the threshold of threatening the election’s integrity and its outcome.”

Risk of U. S. Interference?

Nonetheless, Conservative MP Michael Cooper questioned Drouin and Morrison about this conclusion – pointing out incidents involving Toronto-area candidate Joe Tay. Tay has been targeted due his support for democracy in Hong Kong; authorities there have placed a bounty on him.

Cooper noted Tay and his supporters faced threats during his campaign which led him being advised against door-to-door campaigning for safety reasons. He also remarked on declining voter turnout in Tay’s riding along with reports some supporters were summoned by Chinese consulate officials.

Drouin mentioned they regularly communicated with Conservative Party representatives offering private security support while Morrison added they didn’t identify any direct involvement from Chinese consulate representatives; however they did engage with Chinese Embassy regarding online activity linked backto China’s government.

While discussions about potential foreign interference often focus on nations like China or Russia , Liberal MP Elisabeth Brière raised concerns over possible meddling from within United States borders.

Drouin assured officials would remain vigilant concerning potential interference from any source regardless its origin.

“Canada has expectations regarding all countries , including United States , that there is … no damage done towards our domestic affairs including elections ,” she stated.

“We will monitor situation without bias – irrespective whichever country may attempt engaging itself into foreign interferences.”

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