Event Overview:

As Canada prepares for a federal election, political misinformation is at an all-time high. From misleading narratives about climate change and public health to foreign interference and social media manipulation, misinformation threatens the foundation of evidence-informed democracy.

This year, in celebration of Annual Evidence Day, Evidence for Democracy (E4D) is excited to discuss the role of misinformation in Canadian democracy, how it spreads, and—most importantly—what we can do about it.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand how misinformation spreads and influences elections
• Recognize misinformation tactics & cognitive biases that make people vulnerable
• Learn practical strategies to address misinformation in conversations & media
• Engage in evidence-informed discussions and demand transparency from policymakers

Join us for this important discussion and help safeguard democracy!

Agenda:

Welcome & Opening Remarks (5 min)

• Speaker: Sarah Laframboise, Executive Director, Evidence for Democracy
• Brief introduction to Annual Evidence Day and why misinformation is a critical issue during elections

Setting the Scene: The Impact of Misinformation (15 min)

• What is misinformation? Definition & types (misinformation vs. disinformation)
• Why does misinformation matter?
  • Case study: Wildfire misinformation and emergency response challenges
  • Case study: COVID-19 misinformation and its real-world consequences
• How misinformation erodes public trust and democratic institutions

The Spread & Influence of Misinformation in Politics (30 min)

• Topics covered:
  • How misinformation spreads during election cycles
  • The role of social media, foreign interference, and political narratives
  • Who is most susceptible to misinformation, and why?
  • The consequences of misinformation on public policy and decision-making

Addressing Misinformation: What Can We Do? (20 min)

• The “Inoculation Method”: How to proactively prepare against misinformation
• Debunking vs. Fact-checking: What works, and what doesn’t?
• The role of scientists, policymakers, and the public
• Practical tools & strategies:
  • Science communication best practices
  • Critical thinking & media literacy
  • “Good Information Hygiene” – how to engage with and verify news sources

Q&A & Audience Engagement (15 min)

• Open floor for audience questions

Call to Action & Closing Remarks (5 min)

• How to stay informed and get involved
• Upcoming E4D initiatives & resources
• Encouraging attendees to sign up for E4D updates and share the message