Facebook to unveil new election integrity initiative in Ottawa

Social media giant Facebook is launching its new Canadian Election Integrity Initiative this morning at the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa, alongside Democratic Institutions Minister Karina Gould.

The initiative is designed to protect the next federal election, expected in 2019, from cyber threats.

The announcement, which runs from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., will also feature a panel conversation on citizen literacy and “authentic civic engagement online,” according to the press release. It would appear the initiative represents Facebook’s efforts to clamp down on fake news, in light of serious allegations of foreign attempts to influence the 2016 U.S. presidential election by spreading blatantly false news stories.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Bill Morneau and Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay are in Erinsville, Ont., to talk up the government’s tax proposals, potentially unveiling further tweaks to the Liberals’ controversial plans to restrict the tax savings generated by incorporation.

The two ministers are set to speak at 9:15 a.m. at the Maclaughlin Farm, located some two hours southeast of Ottawa. A media availability is scheduled for 9:45 a.m.

Fisheries and Oceans Minister Dominic LeBlanc will also be discussing the government’s tax reforms and plans to lower the small business tax rate during an appearance in Cap-Pelé, N.B. at 2 p.m. (Atlantic time).

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, on the other hand, is spending the day travelling through the northeastern Quebec riding of Lac-Saint-Jean with Liberal candidate Richard Hébert, in advance of the byelection being held there on Monday, Oct. 23.

The Liberals are hoping to flip the riding after the Conservatives narrowly took it in the 2015 election.