Canadians Divided on Misinformation’s Impact on 2025 Federal Election, Leger Poll Reveals
A recent Leger poll has ignited a debate about the influence of misinformation on the 2025 Canadian federal election, revealing a stark divide across demographics and party lines. The online survey, which cannot be assigned a margin of error due to its methodology, indicates that a significant majority of Canadians believe misinformation played a role in the election outcome. However, the degree of perceived impact and the level of trust in the results vary considerably.
Regionally, Albertans expressed the highest level of concern, with 86% believing misinformation affected the election. Quebec followed closely at 79%, with Ontario and British Columbia at 76% and 73% respectively. This regional disparity suggests that specific issues or campaign tactics may have resonated differently across the country, fueling concerns about the spread of false or misleading information.
The poll also highlights generational and gender differences. Young voters aged 18-34 were most likely to perceive misinformation as impactful (81%), compared to 77% of those aged 35-54 and 74% of those 55 and older. A slight gender gap was also observed, with 80% of men and 74% of women believing misinformation played a role. These variations could be attributed to different levels of media consumption, social media usage, and political engagement across demographics.
Perhaps the most striking division emerged along party lines. While a majority across all parties believed misinformation played a role, Liberal supporters were the least likely to express this concern (74%), compared to 83% of Conservative voters and 87% of NDP voters. This partisan divide reflects the polarized political climate and the tendency to view information through a partisan lens, with supporters of the winning party (Liberals) less likely to perceive misinformation as a significant factor.
Adding to the complexity of the issue is the ambiguity surrounding the term "misinformation" itself. Andrew Enns, Leger’s executive vice-president for Central Canada, acknowledges that the term encompasses a broad range of concerns, from outright falsehoods to negative campaigning and misleading rhetoric. This ambiguity makes it difficult to pinpoint the specific types of information that influenced voters’ perceptions and decision-making. Respondents may have interpreted "misinformation" differently, potentially including negative campaign tactics or rumors alongside deliberate disinformation campaigns.
Beyond the perceived impact of misinformation, the poll also probed Canadians’ trust in the election results. While a majority (65%) expressed trust in the accuracy of the results, this figure masks significant underlying divisions. Only 36% expressed a "great deal" of trust, with another 29% saying they trust the results "a lot." A significant minority expressed skepticism, with 16% trusting the results "a little" and 13% not trusting them "at all." This erosion of trust in electoral integrity is a concerning trend that warrants further investigation and action.
Regional differences in trust mirrored those in perceived misinformation impact. Quebecers were most likely to trust the results (77%), followed by British Columbians (70%), Ontarians (62%), and Albertans (53%). Age also played a role, with older voters (55+) expressing greater trust (72%) compared to younger demographics (61% for 18-34 and 59% for 35-54). The partisan divide was even more pronounced on the issue of trust, with 96% of Liberals expressing trust compared to 74% of NDP voters and only 44% of Conservatives.
This sharp partisan divide in trust raises concerns about the potential for political instability and the ability to conduct fair and transparent elections in the future. Enns attributes the lower levels of trust among Conservative supporters to potential exposure to foreign interference narratives or conspiracy theories, highlighting the need to address these concerns and promote media literacy.
The Leger poll findings echo concerns raised in previous election cycles. The 2021 National Electors Study conducted by Elections Canada found similar levels of concern about online misinformation and foreign interference. However, direct comparisons are difficult due to differences in methodology and question phrasing. The growing concern about misinformation and its impact on democratic processes underscores the urgent need for a multi-faceted approach, including improved media literacy initiatives, fact-checking efforts, and potential regulatory measures to address the spread of false or misleading information online.
The 2025 Leger poll provides a snapshot of the Canadian public’s perception of misinformation and its impact on the election, but it also raises crucial questions about the future of democratic discourse in the digital age. Addressing these concerns requires a collective effort from government, media organizations, social media platforms, and citizens themselves to foster a more informed and resilient democracy. The erosion of trust in institutions, particularly among certain segments of the population, necessitates a renewed focus on transparency, accountability, and fostering a shared understanding of facts and evidence-based decision-making.