Canada: China exerted ‘covert influence’ in elections, flags India as ‘foreign interference threat’

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service in its report has alleged that China sought to “clandestinely and deceptively influence” its last two federal elections, whilst also naming India as a foreign interference threat.

This top-secret briefing report obtained by Global News also stated that the Canadian government “must do more” to fight foreign interference.

“The Foreign Interference activities of the People’s Republic of China are significant, pervasive, and directed against all levels of government and civil society across the country,” the report stated.

“The PRC leverages a vast range of tools in Canada, including the United Front Work Department, its diplomatic corps, and non-government assets such as community groups and trusted contacts,” the report further stated.

On the “foreign interference of India”, the report predicted that the problem could worsen and “we must do more to protect Canada’s robust democratic institutions and processes.”

India was the only country mentioned in the report aside from China. Although three pages of the report were devoted to India, they were entirely redacted later to just say a single sentence: “India engages in FI activities.”

Tensions had escalated between India and Canada back in September 2023 after Prime Minister Trudeau told the Canadian Parliament that it was possible the Indian government had a hand in the murder of a Khalistani separatist in Canada in June.

The Ministry of External Affairs called Trudeau’s accusation “absurd and motivated”. It said he had made similar allegations during his meeting with the PM, which had been “completely rejected”.

After Canada expelled an Indian diplomat posted in Ottawa,  India suspended visa services in Canada.

India asked Canada to cut the number of its diplomats in India, saying there are more Canadian diplomats in India than there are Indian diplomats in Canada.

The briefing report was released to Global News under the Access to Information Act as a commission of inquiry into foreign interference in Canada’s recent elections got underway in Ottawa.

The inquiry was ordered by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau after  Global News, the Globe and Mail came out with a series of news reports which pointed towards Chinese interference in Canada’s elections.

While the government has acknowledged concerns that China may have tried to sway Canada’s elections, the report appears to be more definitive in its conclusions than Ottawa has previously acknowledged.

“Ultimately, better protecting Canadian democratic institutions against foreign interference will require a shift in the government’s perspective and a willingness to take decisive action and impose consequences on perpetrators.”

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