It is sometimes hard to figure out just what it takes for people to realize a crisis is growing in strength. Like the frog who sits in the pot while the water slowly rises in temperature only to take note after it is too late, we appear to be sleepwalking into a major undermining of our democracy.
I refer, of course, to the problem of interference in our electoral process. Despite decades of intelligence by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), at least one report (by former Gov. Gen. David Johnston) and a lengthy inquiry (the Hogue commission), this is generating next to no attention in the current race to determine who will form the next Canadian government.
And yet, how much time and energy is devoted to this in the debates and stump speeches? While I am certainly not following every candidate stop at a sugar shack, I cannot recall seeing anything that suggests this threat is receiving the concern and attention it deserves.
The question then becomes… why? For those on the conspiracy end of the spectrum, there are allegations that some running for office are beholden to or stooges of the People’s Republic of China, the Communist Party of China, the People’s Liberation Army, or the United Front Work Department. I’ll leave that aside.
What is clear, however, is that not enough people seeking to run the nation seem to care. It is not talked about and no one has come up with a solution to a problem that has only been growing evermore for decades. Why is no one speaking of closing Chinese consulates across Canada (from which intelligence is gathered and dissidents/opponents are harassed and threatened)? Why is no one suggesting that Chinese spies are persona non grata? Why are Canadians who are doing China’s bidding not arrested and charged with espionage/foreign interference? Why indeed?
I understand that there are a lot of issues and challenges facing Canadians in this election: housing, the economy, the tariff war started by U.S. President Trump, immigration, and others. National security rarely if ever gets any airtime. But if the very nature and trustworthiness of our vote is in question because of moves by China (and, to be fair, others like Russia and India, to name but two), will Canadians get a fair result?
Furthermore, I am tired of hearing from officials and “experts” who acknowledge that interference is going on but say the election results are not affected (i.e., don’t worry, we’ve got this). How do they know that? How do they know whether some votes are cast as a consequence of interference/undue influence? How can they grant such assurances, given that no one can say with any confidence that voters were not swayed by outside powers?
Canada has a fine intelligence apparatus staffed by very professional and qualified loyal citizens (I have some insight into this having worked at CSIS and the Communications Security Establishment for more than 30 years). These people are doing their jobs, collecting intelligence and advising governments on what they know. The latter are the ones dropping the ball and we all suffer as a result.
Perhaps an analogy here will help. In the realm of counter-terrorism, it sometimes takes a catastrophic attack (like 9/11) for countries to take these issues seriously (a sad comment but an accurate one). As far as foreign interference is concerned, what must transpire before this matter is truly dealt with? We are not talking about a mass casualty event but rather a slow erosion of our democracy. A little more subtle perhaps, but it is clearly happening.
It is past time for an in-depth debate on foreign interference. Make it a daily question for those seeking to become the next prime minister. Hold their feet to the fire and demand solutions to this threat. Don’t let them relax like the frog in the water, sitting back and enjoying the bath. Our independence depends on it.
