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When Canadian elections entered the internet age

In 1997, Canadians were going online in large numbers to look for information, and that was evident during the federal election campaign.

In 1997, Canadians were more connected with the federal election than before

CBC Archives ·

Canada's federal elections have arrived at the internet age

28 years ago
Duration 1:47
In 1997, the internet is a new source of information about the federal election.

For the first time, the internet was firmly embedded in the electoral process.

It was May 1997, and Canadians were headed to the polls on June 2 of that year.

Although there was not an exact number available, reporter Dan Bjarnason had made an informal count of the offerings that were available online.

"There could be something like 200 home pages out there devoted exclusively to the '97 campaign," he said, in a CBC news special called Behind the Ballot from May 19, 1997.

The  result? 

'It's a tool'

Toronto writer Jim Carroll spoke of the home pages available to voters seeking information in 1997. (CBC News/CBC Archives)

"The net is changing the public's involvement with politics more profoundly and more quickly than anyone could have dreamed possible," said Bjarnason, whose image was seen on a computer monitor.

Jim Carroll, a Toronto writer described as a "guru of the internet," described it as a tool. 

"People from all walks of life are using it," he said. "They're slowly discovering it's a tool to get up-to-date information."

Not only did the major political parties and some individual candidates have home pages, but even the smallest parties, such as the Communist Party of Canada, had a page. 

Also getting involved, added Carroll, were news outfits and activist groups.

'Democratizing force'

The internet became a useful resource for voters

28 years ago
Duration 1:42
During the 1997 federal election, Canadians were using the internet to connect and inform.

Forums devoted to discussions of the topic were also growing. Carroll pointed to individual newsgroups where Canadians could discuss and debate the election.

"Basically it's like going into a large bar and there's a bunch of people talking about the election," Carroll explained.  

But there was a caveat.

"As usual with the internet, no one's checking the accuracy of all this information," Bjarnason reminded viewers. "There is, nonetheless, a democratizing force at play."

In '97, the growth of home pages resulted in an abundance of unchecked facts about the election. (CBC News/CBC Archives)

"For the traditional elite," Carroll noted, "the internet represents a potential threat because it is putting a lot of power back into the hands of the people."

With the explosion of "hundreds" of Canadian election home pages for the '97 campaign, Bjarnason wondered what the future held.

"Who could even dream how crowded the web will be the next time?" he asked.