Evidence for Democracy

Evidence for Democracy Evidence for Democracy advocates for the transparent use of evidence in public policy and government www.evidencefordemocracy.ca
(1)

Evidence for Democracy advocates for the transparent use of evidence in public policy and government decision making.

Today, the Government of Canada released its renewed national AI strategy following a 30-day consultation with over 11,0...
06/04/2026

Today, the Government of Canada released its renewed national AI strategy following a 30-day consultation with over 11,000 submissions. Evidence for Democracy welcomes the strategy's emphasis on public trust, transparency, and responsible AI governance, but caution is warranted.

Recognition is not the same as commitment. As our Interim Executive Director, Félix Proulx-Giraldeau, notes: "Canada needs a serious long-term investment plan for science, public infrastructure, and democratic resilience, not just a strategy built around commercialization, productivity, and private sector scale-up."

Democratic resilience requires more than guardrails. It demands robust support for research, journalism, education, and the civic infrastructure that helps Canadians navigate misinformation and the social impacts of AI.

Read our full press release here: https://evidencefordemocracy.ca/press-release-canadas-new-ai-strategy-highlights-public-trust-transparency-and-democratic-resilience-although-meaningful-commitment-gaps-remain/

06/03/2026

What happens when misinformation is challenged?

In this clip from our panel on misinformation in Canada, experts discuss how attempts to debunk misinformation can sometimes make people more entrenched in their beliefs. As polarization grows, convincing people to reconsider information has become increasingly difficult.

This discussion was part of the launch of Evidence for Democracy’s latest report on the evolution of misinformation in Canada.

Watch the full panel recording on our YouTube: https://youtu.be/65QPQ6ysCaU?si=47x89j9tqwynEQJe

05/31/2026

Public skepticism around the government’s use of AI reflects important questions about effectiveness, oversight, and whether these systems are truly improving decision-making.

In this clip, we explore how engaging with these concerns is essential to ensuring AI is used in ways that are transparent, accountable, and grounded in evidence.

Thank you to our panellists, Beatrice Wayne, Helen Hayes, Renée Siebe, and Kimberley Kargus for sharing their insights.

This discussion is part of Evidence for Democracy’s report on AI and democracy.

Watch the full recording: https://youtu.be/xRDPXL5PmgI?si=sbJNZg6XR5CGiu9G

05/29/2026

What does transparency mean in the age of AI?

In this clip, we explore how transparency isn’t just about making information available, but about making it understandable and meaningful to the public. Knowing what people actually want to see, and how they want it communicated, is essential for building trust and accountability in AI systems.

Thank you to our panellists, Beatrice Wayne, Helen Hayes, Renée Siebe, and Kimberley Kargus for sharing their insights.

This discussion is part of Evidence for Democracy’s report on AI and democracy.

Watch the full recording: https://youtu.be/xRDPXL5PmgI?si=sbJNZg6XR5CGiu9G

05/27/2026

Using AI isn’t always the right solution.

In this clip, panellists reflect on the importance of asking whether AI is actually useful for the problem at hand, rather than assuming it should be used. This means considering the context, the goals, and whether other approaches may be more effective.

Thank you to our panellists, Beatrice Wayne, Helen Hayes, Renée Siebe, and Kimberley Kargus for sharing their insights.

This discussion is part of Evidence for Democracy’s report on AI and democracy.

Watch the full recording: https://youtu.be/xRDPXL5PmgI?si=sbJNZg6XR5CGiu9G

Our new Spotlight Series is now public!Data, Doubt, and Distrust: The Public Impact of Alberta's COVID-19 Task Force Rep...
05/26/2026

Our new Spotlight Series is now public!

Data, Doubt, and Distrust: The Public Impact of Alberta's COVID-19 Task Force Report is a volunteer-led case study authored by Hannah Shuster-Hyman, a PhD candidate in Physiology at the University of Toronto. It examines how Alberta's government-commissioned COVID-19 Task Force report sparked widespread condemnation from the medical and scientific community, and why that matters for public health right now.

The analysis identifies serious problems with the quality of evidence used in the report, a lack of transparency, and the use of polarizing rhetoric that has contributed to the erosion of trust in science and healthcare institutions. These are not abstract concerns. Alberta led North America in measles cases in 2025, and Canada has since lost its measles elimination status, a designation it held for over two decades.

Read the full report here: https://evidencefordemocracy.ca/research/spotlight-series-data-doubt-and-distrust-the-public-impact-of-albertas-covid-19-task-force-report/

05/23/2026

Why are people turning to AI for answers?

In this clip from our panel on misinformation in Canada, experts discuss how AI tools can appear confident and authoritative, even when they are uncertain or wrong. That sense of certainty can be appealing in a fragmented information environment where trust in traditional sources has eroded.

This discussion was part of the launch of Evidence for Democracy’s latest report on the evolution of misinformation in Canada.

Watch the full panel recording on our YouTube: https://youtu.be/65QPQ6ysCaU?si=47x89j9tqwynEQJe

Evidence for Democracy has officially submitted our pre-budget recommendations to the Government of Canada.Our submissio...
05/22/2026

Evidence for Democracy has officially submitted our pre-budget recommendations to the Government of Canada.

Our submission makes the case for two things we believe are fundamental to Canada's future: a stronger science and research ecosystem, and better-protected democratic institutions.

On research, we're calling for increased granting council budgets, full coverage of research costs, restored intramural science funding, and a five-year National Science, Research, and Innovation Strategy. On democracy, we're urging the government to establish a non-partisan Canadian Democracy Fund and reintroduce a strengthened Online Harms Act to address AI-manipulated content and criminal disinformation.

Canada's researchers and democratic institutions deserve a government that follows through. We hope to see these recommendations reflected in the next federal budget.

Read the full submission here: https://evidencefordemocracy.ca/evidence-for-democracy-submits-pre-budget-submission-calling-for-stronger-investment-in-science-research-and-democratic-institutions/

05/20/2026

Why are we talking about AI and democracy?

In this clip, we explore why artificial intelligence is no longer just a technical issue, but a democratic one. From shaping how information is created and shared to influencing public trust and decision-making, AI is already affecting our democracy.

Thank you to our panellists, Beatrice Wayne, Helen Hayes, Renée Siebe, and Kimberley Kargus for sharing their insights.

This discussion is part of Evidence for Democracy’s report on AI and democracy.

Watch the full recording: https://youtu.be/xRDPXL5PmgI?si=sbJNZg6XR5CGiu9G

04/22/2026

Public interest research shows that Canadians want to see stronger regulation of AI, yet meaningful action has been slow.

Thank you to our panellists, Beatrice Wayne, Helen Hayes, Renée Siebe, and Kimberley Kargus for sharing their insights.

This discussion is part of Evidence for Democracy’s report on AI and democracy.

Watch the full recording: https://youtu.be/xRDPXL5PmgI?si=sbJNZg6XR5CGiu9G

Address

123 Slater Street, 6th Floor
Ottawa, ON
K1P5H2

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Evidence for Democracy posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Featured

Share

Category