Democratic Reform Week, 3/3

Since the beginning of 2025, I've been honoured to be part of the Shadow Cabinet for the Green Party of Canada. The governing party has a cabinet, and each opposition party has a similar group of people ready to respond. On Shadow Cabinet, I am the Critic for Democratic Reform.

To give a sense of where my priorities are, here are six areas where we ought to focus so that our democracy regains and maintains health. I'll expand on two today, and follow up later this week with the others.

1. The Notwithstanding Clause (published on March 10th)

2. Voting Age (published on March 10th)

3. Technology (published on March 12th)

4. Electoral & Ballot Reform (published on March 12th)

5. Foreign Interference

6. Our Media

Foreign Interference The integrity of Canada’s democratic institutions must be safeguarded from foreign interference. I endorse all of the recommendations of the Hogue Inquiry, and am eager to see them implemented. I will press whichever party is in government to regularly report on their progress, and to defend any delays.

I further advocate for an expanded investigation into interference by non-state actors, including private corporations, advocacy groups, and individuals. Strengthening transparency, oversight, and accountability measures will protect our elections from undue influence and ensure public trust in the democratic process.

Our Media A free press is the backbone of a healthy democracy, yet years of corporate consolidation and funding cuts have left our media landscape in crisis. I believe that a strong democracy requires strong journalism. That’s why I'm committed to increasing long-term, stable funding for CBC/Radio-Canada, ensuring it remains independent and free from commercial and political influence.

We also need to break up corporate monopolies that have gutted local newsrooms and left communities without reliable sources of information.

Big Tech companies have profited from Canadian journalism without giving back. We’ll push for fair revenue-sharing policies to make sure they pay their fair share when they use Canadian news content. At the same time, I will advocate for a Public Journalism Fund to support investigative and community journalism, especially in rural and Indigenous communities that have been hardest hit by media closures.

Finally, misinformation is one of the greatest threats to our democracy. I will support media literacy programs, promote transparency in digital news algorithms, and ensure Canadians can trust the information they receive. It’s time to rebuild public trust in media and to ensure that every Canadian has access to high-quality, independent journalism.

These six proposals, described over three blog posts this week, represent a bold yet practical vision for democratic reform in Canada. By addressing critical issues such as the misuse of legislative powers, empowering youth, leveraging technology responsibly, improving electoral fairness, and safeguarding our institutions, the Green Party is committed to building a democracy that truly reflects the values and aspirations of all Canadians. Together, we can create a stronger, fairer, and more participatory democracy.