OP-ED: Click, Vote, Gone — The Perils of Digital Democracy
By Elizabeth Marshall, Oct. 5, 2025
Most municipalities are starting to gear up for the 2026 election. This might be something to think about, particularly if they are all consumed with the “convenience” of e-voting/online voting and/or phone/mail in (alternative) voting.
From the report “Cyber Risks in Ontario Online Elections” by James D. Brunet, Western University: “Types of Threats to Online Voting
When compared to in-person, hand-counted, paper ballots which are chiefly verified through procedural measures, online voting presents new risks in existing categories of election threats. These threats fall into several categories:
Ballot secrecy threats, where a person could determine how another person voted in an election.
Coercion threats, where a voter is illegally pressured or incentivized to cast a particular vote.
Count-related threats, where votes are counted incorrectly, or an incorrect count is reported.
Ballot-stuffing threats, where invalid votes are cast and counted.
Ballot-altering threats, where a voter’s choice is changed without their authorization.
Authentication threats, where unauthorized individuals can cast votes on behalf of others.
Availability threats, where access to the voting service is disrupted for voters.
Privacy threats, where personal information about voters is accessed without authorization.
Legitimacy threats, where the public does not have confidence in the election result.”[1]
You read correct. Your vote can be changed without your knowledge or consent. The paper also explains that there is only a 25-83% accuracy rate, meaning your vote might not be counted or it was deleted.
The paper goes on to explain: “There is a broad list of potential attackers for municipal elections in Canada. Potential attackers could be politically motivated and desire a particular election outcome. Attackers could include partisan individuals/groups, people with a financial interest in municipal policy, or even state actors. … Potential attackers may also be financially motivated (e.g. a ransomware group targeting municipal infrastructure), or personally motivated (e.g. a disgruntled employee seeking to cause disruption). In some cases, cybersecurity incidents may occur without an attacker (e.g. via human error or negligence). For example, unanticipated demand on an online voting system could cause an availability threat, or a political candidate could cause a privacy threat by leaving a USB flash drive containing voter data on a bus seat.”
So, question, are you really voting for the candidate you want or are you merely being made to “feel good” by this form of voting. What does government tell us – it must be scientifically proven…now it is. “…a paper ballot cast at a polling station provides the firmest guarantees…”[2] “Ballot secrecy is a fundamental principle of democratic elections, … a requirement in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights.”
Obviously, alternative voting is violating your basic human right and you’re letting it happen all in the name of “convenience.” Even if you print out your vote, it can be changed and you won’t even know…
Update from MP, Doug Shipley
Oct. 4, 2025 – Thanksgiving is traditionally an autumn celebration to show appreciation for the season’s harvest. These days, it’s a time to gather with friends and family, a time to be grateful for the people in our lives, our loved ones, and to count our blessings. It also usually means that fall has well and truly arrived and that I should be raking leaves. Let’s welcome the fall season by enjoying the changing colour of the trees, cozy sweaters, and local produce. I encourage you to stop at a local roadside stand to pick out a few pumpkins, some fresh apples, and seasonal veggies to support our local farms. We are surrounded by farmland and there are many producers to choose from within a short distance.
This time of year, we see many fall fairs and gatherings. In September, I was happy to help celebrate Anten Mills’ 150th anniversary, where current and past community members joined in the celebration. It was my pleasure to also participate in the parade at the Oro World’s Fair and to chat with locals about life and what’s happening in the community and the country. Coming this weekend is the Elmvale Fall Fair. I’m looking forward to the excitement and the energy of the school parade, meeting constituents, and enjoying a butter tart.
I hope you make the most of this fall season by getting outdoors and enjoying all that Springwater and the surrounding areas have to offer – hiking trails, waterfronts, and parks. I hope you enjoy the season, and I hope your Thanksgiving weekend is filled with the comfort and warmth of good friends, close family, and great food.
As always, my staff and I are available to discuss any federal matters that may be of concern to you and your family. Please do not hesitate to get in touch by phone at 705-728-2596 or email at Doug.Shipley@parl.gc.ca.
Sincerely, Doug Shipley – Member of Parliament – Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte
City provides update on State of Emergency actions and encampment supports
By City of Barrie – Oct 3, 2025
On September 9, Mayor Alex Nuttall declared a State of Emergency in Barrie to address growing number of encampments across the city.
Since that time, the City of Barrie, in collaboration with the County of Simcoe, has taken coordinated action to address several encampment sites throughout the city. These efforts have focused on providing individuals with alternate shelter and supports, while ensuring public safety and restoring the impacted areas.
Encampments addressed to date include:
- Dyment’s Creek/Victoria Street: Encampment cleared before State of Emergency. Area remains closed for clean-up. South side cleanup is complete; contractor is finalizing efforts on the north side this week.
- Mulcaster Street: Encampment cleared. 39 of 44 individuals secured alternate shelter and storage for belongings.
- Sam Cancilla Park: Tent cleared. 1 individual secured alternate shelter.
- Bradford Street: 11 of 18 individuals were supported with shelter. All individuals have left the site and cleanup is underway.
“The coordinated response between the City and County of Simcoe has made meaningful progress in addressing the immediate needs of individuals living in encampments while balancing the health and safety of the broader community,” said Mayor Alex Nuttall. “We remain committed to supporting vulnerable residents with safe spaces and services, while protecting the wellbeing of the broader community.”
The City and County continue to assess all encampments across Barrie, prioritizing those with community safety concerns and public health risks. Further actions will depend on shelter availability.
According to data from the County of Simcoe’s Homeless Individuals and Families Information System (HIFIS), as of September 1, 2025, there were 632 people experiencing homelessness in Barrie. The City of Barrie tracks the number of encampments throughout the city and considers one or more structures/tents on city property to be an encampment. The latest count by the City shows 26 encampments across Barrie with approximately 111 individuals living in these encampments.