In a statement, the office of governor-general Mary Simon said it was aware of “misinformation” on social media encouraging citizens to contact the governor-general to “register votes of no confidence”.

The statement added: “This information is not correct. No such registry or process [for ordinary citizens to register votes of no confidence] exists.”

The governor-general plays broadly the same constitutional and ceremonial role in Canada as the Queen does in the United Kingdom.

The statement was issued as Canadian authorities were dispersing the last of the so-called “Freedom Convoy” protesting Covid-19 vaccine mandates and restrictions.