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Strong and Free Elections Act

Bill C-25, Strong and Free Elections Act · Second reading · now law Where it stands

What the law does

The law amends the Canada Elections Act to set new bans on foreign influence, bribery, unauthorized computer use, and false information about elections or candidate nominations. It restricts voting in nomination or leadership contests, bans anonymous contributions to political entities and third parties, and requires parties to have privacy policies. It also raises administrative monetary penalties, gives enforcement powers to the Commissioner of Canada Elections, and changes the names of some electoral districts.

Official text

24 statements

Peter Schiefke

Liberal

Linked statement

“I do not think that is true. The member should share his concerns and suggest ways to improve the bill when the committee studies it.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I do not believe that is the case. However, I encourage my hon. colleague to share his concerns when the bill gets to committee. I also encourage him to discuss how we can improve the bill to head off the examples he mentioned.

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Kevin Lamoureux

Liberal
“This bill does not censor people. We need it to protect our elections from new technology like AI and from foreign interference. I want the member to say more about why we must deal with these tech changes.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I appreciated the member’s comments, especially in regard to AI, deepfakes and so on. It is important for us to recognize that the legislation is in no way meant to have a censorship of sorts. In fact, we want to protect the integrity of our democratic system. That is what this legislation is all about. Given technological advances, AI and mischievous characters, whether it is an individual or another state, this type of legislation is needed. I wonder if the member could provide further thoughts as to why it is important that we address the changes in technology we have witnessed over the last number of years.

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Peter Schiefke

Liberal
“I want the House to pass this bill. It protects future elections from fake videos and misinformation, so our children can know what is real when they vote.”

  • Reply to a debate question

    Signal 25 of 100

    Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, something I feel really strongly about is that this piece of legislation is for the next generation of Canadians. It is for our children. One of the big fears I have is not taking action on the emerging threats we are seeing and, when my son, who is currently 11, goes to vote for the first time seven years from now, he is living in a Canada that has not addressed the issue of deepfakes, so he is living in a Canada where it is difficult to know what is real and what is not real. I am very happy to see there might be bipartisan support for this piece of legislation, because I do feel this is incredibly important, not just for us, but for future generations, in safeguarding our electoral process.

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Elizabeth May

Green
“We should bring back the rule that gave political parties public money for each vote they received. This will encourage more Canadians to vote, even if they live in an area where their party usually loses.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, does it not occur to my friend from Vaudreuil that it is time to revisit what Jean Chrétien put forward as the most advanced financing laws in Canada, and there have been other points made by other members, to encourage Canadians to vote and to give people a reason to vote, even if they are in a so-called safe riding for a party they do not favour, and restore the per vote support?

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Discussion

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Comment rules

More from sitting 110

All 38 items ·
  1. Government Orders Strong and Free Elections Act 24 statements
  2. Oral Questions Finance 12 statements
  3. Oral Questions Natural Resources 6 statements
  4. Oral Questions Finance 6 statements
  5. Oral Questions Ethics 2 statements
  6. Oral Questions Public Services and Procurement 4 statements
  7. Oral Questions Labour 4 statements
  8. Oral Questions Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship 4 statements
  9. Oral Questions Health 4 statements
  10. Oral Questions International Trade 2 statements
  11. Oral Questions Taxation 2 statements
  12. Oral Questions International Trade 18 statements
  13. Oral Questions Foreign Affairs 2 statements
  14. Oral Questions Indigenous Affairs 2 statements
  15. Oral Questions Public Safety 2 statements
  16. Oral Questions The Environment 2 statements
  17. Oral Questions Steel and Aluminum Industry 5 statements
  18. Government Orders Strong and Free Elections Act 41 statements
  19. Oral Questions The Economy 2 statements
  20. Private Members' Business Jury Duty Appreciation Week Act 13 statements
  21. Oral Questions International Trade 4 statements