MONTREAL (CBC) - Election spending laws could change in Quebec as the province's chief electoral officer ponders new rules for campaigning on the World Wide Web.

As the internet plays an increasingly important role in political campaigns and elections, rules and laws need to evolve in order to keep the playing field level, said Quebec elections director Marcel Blanchet.

The province's election office is studying how the internet has changed campaigning and electioneering, and will come up with recommendations to modernize current laws, Blanchet told the Canadian Press.

For example, the definition of election spending may change, given how easy - and relatively free - it is to broadcast election messages on the internet, Blanchet said.

Whether it's commercials posted on YouTube, blogs or chatrooms, candidates can gain an edge on their rivals by using cyberspace as a platform, and that means the medium requires rules, he said.

Quebec's election office is expected to produce recommendations in September.

With files from the Canadian Press

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