The Clayton H. Riddell Graduate Program in Political Management at Carleton University is pleased to announce a one-year Canadian Election Integrity Project with Facebook. As part of this project, Kevin Chan, head of public policy at Facebook Canada, has been appointed as a Visiting Scholar in Election Integrity at the university.
“Few issues are more important to the integrity of Canadian elections than the role of social media,” said Stephen Azzi, associate professor and director of the program. “We’re delighted to launch this project to stimulate a frank discussion about how Facebook can protect and advance our democracy.”
Through a series of engagements in collaboration with students, faculty and the broader political ecosystem, the project will reflect on the 2019 federal election and Facebook’s ongoing work through the Canadian Election Integrity Initiative to develop lessons learned for the next federal election. This exercise is all the more relevant given the shifting landscape of elections and the importance of protecting the democratic process, online and off.
“We look forward to reflecting on the 2019 federal election and Facebook’s ongoing work through the Canadian Election Integrity Initiative in collaboration with Riddell students, faculty and the broader political ecosystem,” said Chan, head of public policy at Facebook Canada. “Investing in technology, people and partnerships is an integral part of our work to protect the integrity of elections on our platform and positively contribute to the democratic process.’”
The Riddell program offers Canada’s first graduate degree in applied politics. Twenty-five students are admitted each year to study Canadian political institutions, strategic communications, public opinion research, leadership, advocacy, policy and campaigns. Graduates work for cabinet ministers, members of Parliament, senators, government relations firms, advocacy organizations and business associations.
About Kevin Chan
Chan has spearheaded the creation of Facebook’s Canadian Election Integrity Initiative, the Digital News Innovation Challenge and an advisory group to counsel Facebook on Canadian political ads. His work to remove Canadian hate figures and organizations from the platform made NOW Magazine’s 2019 Year in Review.
Previously, Chan was deputy secretary-general of McGill and a Non-Residential Fellow at Stanford’s Center for Internet and Society. Earlier, he was an executive in the Privy Council Office and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.
Chan has testified before numerous parliamentary committees, including the International Grand Committee on Big Data, Privacy and Democracy. He has appeared on CBC’s The National and The Current, Radio-Canada’s Enquête, as well as TVO’s The Agenda with Steve Paikin.
Chan graduated from Harvard Kennedy School, the Ivey Business School and the Royal Conservatory of Music. An Action Canada and Community Shift Fellow, he is the recipient of the Public Service Award of Excellence, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal.
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Monday, January 27, 2020 in News Releases
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