Thread by @MsAmyMacPherson

1/21 @ElectionsCan_E @DLeBlancNB @PrivyCouncilCA

I have a simple solution to resolve dark money & foreign interference in #CDNpoli elections & democracies in general

► Any third party ads must be approved by a candidate

(See #thread for more details)

cbc.ca/news/politics/…

2/21 @ElectionsCan_E @DLeBlancNB @PrivyCouncilCA

Elections Canada can require 3rd party election ads to include a stamp of approval from any registered candidate, so if there's a problem the onus is on the candidate to research & ensure the integrity of said ads

Con't #CDNpoli

3/21 @ElectionsCan_E @DLeBlancNB @PrivyCouncilCA

If candidates complain it's too much responsibility to be liable for 3rd party elections ads, they don't deserve the responsibility of running a country

Ensuring the integrity of messaging is half the job of an MP

Con't #CDNpoli

4/21 @ElectionsCan_E @DLeBlancNB @PrivyCouncilCA

Political parties can devise a contract with 3rd party election advertisers as a condition of receiving the candidate's approval, that has the interest group affirm the integrity of said ad & proper funding sources

Con't #CDNpoli

5/21 @ElectionsCan_E @DLeBlancNB @PrivyCouncilCA

If an infraction occurs Elections Canada would find the candidate guilty

If the candidate can prove a 3rd party advertiser broke terms of an integrity contract, they'd have private legal recourse under contract law

Cont #CDNpoli

6/21 @ElectionsCan_E @DLeBlancNB @PrivyCouncilCA

If a candidate successfully proves a 3rd party election advertiser broke terms of an integrity contract through a court of law, they could then appeal the guilty finding by Elections Canada & sue advertiser for cost

Cont #CDNpoli

7/21 @ElectionsCan_E @DLeBlancNB @PrivyCouncilCA

The onus/liability structure has to change to hold candidates & parties responsible, as opposed to the public being responsible for what candidates & advertisers do via Elections Canada

This will bring the sunlight

Cont #CDNpoli

8/21 @ElectionsCan_E @DLeBlancNB @PrivyCouncilCA

This way all the public needs to do is verify what they're reading was vetted & approved by a candidate

And should there be fraudulent misrepresentation of a candidate, it will be easy to prove via lack of contract

Cont #CDNpoli

9/21 @ElectionsCan_E @DLeBlancNB @PrivyCouncilCA

Adding that layer of candidate liability & third party contract in turn provides a criminal deterrent for anyone that fraudulently misrepresents a stamp of candidate &/or party approval

This could end dirty tricks

Con't #CDNpoli

10/21 @ElectionsCan_E @DLeBlancNB @PrivyCouncilCA

Proper recognition of onus/liability also frees #CDNmedia & social media to accept election ads without fear of reprisal & impossibility of policing free speech

Either the ad has a candidate contract or it doesn't

Cont #CDNpoli

11/21 @ElectionsCan_E @DLeBlancNB @PrivyCouncilCA

Insofar as #CDNmedia goes, rectifying #FakeNews & foreign interference is paramount to the integrity of democratic elections

But it's also reasonably easy to resolve without killing free speech & #PressFreedom

Con't #CDNpoli

12/21 @ElectionsCan_E @DLeBlancNB @PrivyCouncilCA

During the pre-writ phase, Elections Canada could require #CDNmedia to register & compile a website that's easy for the public to access & verify

One column for mainstream media & another for political blogs

Con't #CDNpoli

13/21 @ElectionsCan_E @DLeBlancNB @PrivyCouncilCA

#CDNmedia registration with Elections Canada should be free, so it doesn't disable or deter small-scale political blogs

But it should include an enforceable declaration that the entity is Canadian & Canadian-run

Con't #CDNpoli

14/21 @ElectionsCan_E @DLeBlancNB @PrivyCouncilCA

The Elections Canada website for the public to verify registered #CDNmedia may include a disclaimer that it's not responsible for the news & opinion content - just that the agencies/blogs are confirmed as domestic

Con't #CDNpoli

15/21 @ElectionsCan_E @DLeBlancNB @PrivyCouncilCA

To protect the integrity of elxn news & editorials without crossing the lines of free speech & #PressFreedom, Elections Canada could also require conflict-of-interest disclosures for registered #CDNmedia & blogs

Con't #CDNpoli

16/21 @ElectionsCan_E @DLeBlancNB @PrivyCouncilCA

On the Elections Canada website for public to verify #CDNmedia, each entry should include the disclosure of every reporter, blogger, & pollster who worked or volunteered for a candidate or party in the past 5 years

Cont #CDNpoli

17/21 @ElectionsCan_E @DLeBlancNB @PrivyCouncilCA

Elections Canada could stipulate that any articles, blogs, & polls disclose the conflict-of-interest at the bottom of each publication if the author worked or volunteered for a party or candidate in past 5 years

Con't #CDNpoli

18/21 @ElectionsCan_E @DLeBlancNB @PrivyCouncilCA

Failure to comply with election integrity disclosure rules could then result in a #CDNmedia entity becoming de-listed from the Elections Canada verified webpage & possibly fined as another means of deterrent

Con't #CDNpoli

19/21 @ElectionsCan_E @DLeBlancNB @PrivyCouncilCA

These stipulations would only remain in force for the official writ period, to quell any fears about Big Brother controlling the news, opinion editorials, election polls, free speech, & #PressFeedom

Con't #CDNpoli

20/21 @ElectionsCan_E @DLeBlancNB @PrivyCouncilCA

My suggestions are the least confrontational way to overcome public confusion & distrust in #CDNpoli & #CDNmedia RE elections

They prevent spun news by political operatives, #FakeNews by nefarious actors, & foreign interference

21/21 @ElectionsCan_E @DLeBlancNB @PrivyCouncilCA

It's a Brave New World & brave new methods are required to protect western democracies

It also seems like the only way to cherish our rights & freedoms while preventing them from being weaponized against us in #CDNpoli /end