Safeguarding Democracy in the Arctic and North

Foreign interference represents a growing challenge to Canada’s democratic institutions, with the Arctic emerging as a uniquely vulnerable frontier. Small electorates, geographic remoteness, and limited institutional resources mean that even minor disruptions can have outsized impacts on electoral outcomes. At the same time, global interest in the Arctic’s strategic and economic potential has intensified, heightening the risk that foreign actors may attempt to manipulate northern elections to advance geopolitical agendas. A report on foreign interference in Canadian elections.

This report was commissioned by the Canadian Institute for Arctic Security, based in the Yukon, to examine the unique vulnerabilities of Arctic electoral systems and outline strategies to safeguard democracy in the North. It addresses three central research questions: What vulnerabilities most threaten electoral integrity in the Canadian Arctic? Why might foreign actors seek to manipulate northern elections, and through what methods? And how can federal safeguards be adapted to strengthen electoral systems in Northern and Indigenous contexts?