Google, Facebook plan to roll out tools to sift so-called ‘fake news’ in Canada

OTTAWA – Two of the world's biggest digital information platforms say they're getting ready to roll out tools in Canada designed to crack down on so-called "fake news."

The phenomenon of false or misleading information being widely disseminated online became a major storyline in the U.S. presidential campaign and the election last month of Donald Trump.

It's also been happening in Canada: Conservative leadership candidate Kellie Leitch’s campaign manager, Nick Kouvalis, has admitted posting false information about the Trudeau government to draw out left-leaning voters.

Both Google and Facebook have been testing online tools in the U.S. and the U.K. aimed at helping users identify credible information posted on their web portals.

And they say they expect to provide similar tools to Canadian users soon.

Heritage Minister Melanie Joly says she wants to speak with social network and media managers to see what, if anything, the government can do to ensure Canadians are viewing reliable information on the Internet.

A spokesman in Joly's department says it's too early to speculate on policy options, noting that ensuring the integrity of news and information on the web is part of the government's wider review of the media landscape.