Protecting candidates during the electoral process
If a threat is made or imminent, report it to 911 or your local police of jurisdiction. Know how to contact your local police of jurisdiction and whether you should register your home, office, or a planned event.
The election threat environment is becoming more intense and complex. We’re committed to protecting Canada’s democratic institutions, processes, and election candidates.
If you’re an election candidate, you could be a target. You should know the potential threats, as well as the steps you can take to protect yourself and your campaign.
Information is available to help keep you, your campaign, and your staff safe throughout the electoral process.
Resources
The following resources can help you understand and manage foreign interference, disinformation, online and physical threats.
General Safety
As a political candidate with public exposure, it is important to understand the types of threats you could face and how to respond.
- Protecting National Security in Partnership with All Canadians
- Protecting Canada’s general elections
Foreign interference and disinformation
Foreign interference (FI) is any activity that is detrimental to the interests of Canada and clandestine, deceptive, or threatening. Foreign states use FI to advance their own interests, and can target elected and public officials across all levels of government, representing all political parties.
- Foreign Interference Threats to Canada's Democratic Process
- Foreign Interference and You
- Protecting Democracy - Toolkit to resist disinformation - for community leaders
- Protecting Democracy - Toolkit to resist disinformation - for elected officials and public office holders
Cyber threats
Cyber threat activity targeting democratic processes is on the rise worldwide and can target elections online to influence voters, spread disinformation about the election, and potentially discredit the voting process. If you’re involved in politics – as a political candidate, staffer or volunteer – you are a target.
Physical safety
If you are the target of a physical threat, contact your local police of jurisdiction.
If you're a registered candidate and require supplemental information on how to improve your physical safety, visit the following resources.
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