The Canadian Battleground of Foreign Interference

THE STORY SIMPLIFIED

CRITICAL CONTEXT

Recent History of Foreign Powers in Canada

In recent years, Canada has witnessed several significant and highly publicized instances of potential foreign meddling, with intelligence activities and influence efforts aimed at advancing the interests of other nations. Key discoveries include:

• McCallum’s Controversy: Former Canadian ambassador to China, John McCallum, faced backlash after making comments perceived by some as encouraging Chinese interference in Canadian elections. He was dismissed from his position as a result in 2019.

• Chinese Police Stations: Unauthorized Chinese "police stations" were discovered operating in Canada in 2022, sparking concerns about extraterritorial law enforcement targeting Chinese nationals living abroad.

• The Chinese Spy Balloon: A Chinese surveillance balloon flew through Canadian airspace before entering U.S. airspace in early 2023. China denied it was gathering intelligence.

• The Assassination of a Sikh Leader: Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Sikh leader, was assassinated in Canada in June of 2023, prompting formal accusations from the Canadian government of Indian government involvement in the murder.

• A Study Permit Rejection: A Canadian court upheld the rejection of a student's study permit in January 2024 due to concerns about connections to the Chinese government, highlighting increased scrutiny over potential foreign espionage in Canadian research institutions.

EARLY WARNINGS AND NON-DISCLOSURE

In 2022, media reports alleging Chinese interference in the 2019 and 2021 Canadian elections led to scrutiny of the Canadian government for not disclosing these concerns to the public earlier.

• Government Briefings: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau received several briefs on election interference schemes beginning in 2019 ahead of the 2019 Canadian federal election. Jody Thomas, Canada’s National Security and Intelligence Advisor, later testified that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau received numerous briefs and memos on election interference schemes beginning in 2022.

• Public Disclosure: Anonymous media leaks containing allegations of foreign interference in the 2019 and 2021 elections were released in 2022 across multiple outlets. The extent of the interference and the government's lack of disclosure became a matter of public debate and scrutiny.

THE ESCALATION FROM PRIVATE TO PUBLIC INQUIRY

The Canadian government's approach to investigating foreign interference has been met with demands for increased public transparency.

• Special Rapporteur on Foreign Interference: Former Governor General David Johnston was appointed to assess the situation in March 2023. He reported evidence of foreign interference but recommended against a public inquiry. Johnston faced criticism over perceived bias due to his ties to Prime Minister Trudeau and resigned in June 2023.

• Public Inquiry: On September 7, 2023, the government initiated an ongoing public inquiry into foreign interference.

• NSICOP Report: In March 2024, National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) submitted a classified report to the Prime Minister, allegedly revealing that several sitting parliamentarians had “semi-wittingly or wittingly” assisted Chinese interference efforts. This led to public scrutiny and calls from political leaders to access the unredacted report.

THE DETAILS OF INTERFERENCE:

Since the initial reports, key details about foreign interference in Canada’s last two federal elections have continued to emerge. Below is a concise breakdown of all the findings so far (note that the public inquiry is still underway):

• Impact on District Races: While it has been consistently stated that neither the 2019 nor 2021 federal elections were influenced in a way that determined the overall national result, there are concerns that foreign interference may have swayed outcomes in specific ridings. Erin O’Toole, the former opposition leader, testified that the Conservative Party of Canada may have lost up to 9 seats in parliament as a consequence.

• Unnamed MPs and Governance Concerns: A classified report by the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) indicated that several Members of Parliament (MPs) may have either knowingly or unknowingly supported foreign interference efforts, particularly from China. The report did not disclose the parliamentarians’ identities, raising concerns about the implications for governance and the integrity of the political process.

• The Example of Michael Chong: Conservative MP Michael Chong reportedly faced a coordinated smear campaign on social media, likely backed by the Chinese government. This followed his criticism of Beijing's policies, including his support for the Uyghur minority ethnic group. Allegations indicate that the Chinese government may have gathered information about Chong's relatives in Hong Kong in an effort to intimidate him and his family.

• Coordinated Interference Efforts: It has been reported that interference efforts were coordinated through the United Front Work Department, a Chinese government body tasked with extending China's influence abroad.

• Opposition to Foreign Agent Registry: Senators Victor Oh and Yuen Pau Woo, both of Chinese descent, have voiced opposition to the establishment of a Foreign Agent Registry. This registry would require individuals and entities acting on behalf of foreign principals to register their activities. Oh was reported to have organized transportation for 3000 protesters to go to Parliament and demonstrate opposition to the registry.

• Involvement of India and Pakistan: Reports also indicate that both India and Pakistan have been involved in efforts to influence Canadian elections. This activity may reflect regional tensions, particularly surrounding the issue of Khalistani separatists.

• Iran’s Influence on its Diaspora: Iran has been accused of targeting its diaspora in Canada, potentially seeking to influence Iranian-Canadian political views and engagement around Canadian foreign policy towards Iran.

• Russian Disinformation and Cyber Campaigns: Russia is accused of orchestrating disinformation campaigns and cyberattacks aimed at undermining public confidence in Canadian democratic institutions. Notably, the Russian Embassy is accused of running a smear campaign against Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland.

THE ACCUSED DENYING

As accusations of foreign interference have increased, the countries involved have consistently denied any wrongdoing.

THE FUTURE:

The findings of foreign interference in Canada’s elections have prompted initiatives aimed at preventing similar incidents from happening in the future. Measures implemented at both federal and provincial levels include:

• Improved Intelligence Sharing: Liberal Minister Dominic LeBlanc has emphasized enhancing coordination between agencies to improve responses to foreign interference threats.

• SITE Task Force: The Security and Intelligence Threats to Elections (SITE) Task Force, including CSIS and the RCMP, was established to monitor and address interference during elections.

• Bill C-70: Enacted in June 2024, this law strengthens national security by introducing criminal offenses related to deceptive conduct in elections and establishing a Foreign Influence Transparency Registry.

• Provincial Measures: Elections BC has been granted new powers to enhance oversight and security in provincial elections, addressing rising concerns about foreign interference.

Despite concerns, Elections Canada will not oversee party candidate races, which have been identified as a significant potential area for interference.

Foreign interference in Canada’s elections reveals the vulnerability of its democracy in an increasingly interconnected world. While the overall outcome for the ruling party remained unaffected, the potential influence on specific districts raises serious concerns about the integrity of the electoral process. As the public inquiry continues and another federal election looms, Canada finds itself in a crucial battle to protect the independence and fairness of its democracy from external threats.