Discussion · Government Orders
Elizabeth May Green
“Misinformation is an honest mistake, but disinformation is lying on purpose. We should not mix them up. I want to know if the person enforcing this law will use the normal dictionary definitions for these words.”
“Madam Speaker, I am surprised that we are discussing the difference between misinformation and disinformation. I think my friend from Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan would agree that if we look at any dictionary definition, “misinformation” can be understood to be an error or mistake, and “disinformation” is defined universally as being deliberately deceptive. Spreading something with the intent to deceive is usually what we find in the dictionary there. I think it is important in this place that we not suggest they are the same term or that they can be confused. In terms of this legislation, I know there is a lot to be determined later in regulations. For that terminology, can we assume that any commissioner will rely on commonly understood Oxford English Dictionary sorts of definitions for the difference, with “disinformation” meaning deliberately deceitful?”
Madam Speaker, I am surprised that we are discussing the difference between misinformation and disinformation. I think my friend from Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan would agree that if we look at any dictionary definition, “misinformation” can be understood to be an error or mistake, and “disinformation” is defined universally as being deliberately deceptive. Spreading something with the intent to deceive is usually what we find in the dictionary there. I think it is important in this place that we not suggest they are the same term or that they can be confused. In terms of this legislation, I know there is a lot to be determined later in regulations. For that terminology, can we assume that any commissioner will rely on commonly understood Oxford English Dictionary sorts of definitions for the difference, with “disinformation” meaning deliberately deceitful?