Foreign Interference Inquiry Resumes, Focuses on Canada’s Deterrence Capability

Commissioner Justice Marie-Josee Hogue delivers her opening remarks as the Foreign Interference commission begins fall hearings, on Sept. 16, 2024 in Ottawa. The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld

The Foreign Interference Commission resumed public hearings Sept. 16, focusing on Canada’s ability to counter foreign interference, with further discussion expected on allegations that some parliamentarians colluded with foreign actors.

While previous hearings focused on past interference, the latest round will shift to examining how Canada can deter current and future threats.

“Essentially, we will be examining the current capacity of government, departments, agencies, institutional structures, and governance processes to combat foreign interference, and how their ability to do so has evolved over time,” Commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue said during her opening remarks.

Several stakeholders and their representatives spoke at the hearing, including Conservative MP Michael Chong’s counsel, Gib van Ert. He highlighted Chong’s concern about being targeted by China and the delays he experienced in learning about it from the federal government.

Chong’s targeting was outlined in a May 2023 Globe and Mail report, which cited a July 2021 Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) report. The CSIS report said Beijing sought information on Chong’s family in Hong Kong in response to his parliamentary motion condemning the repression of Uyghurs and other Turkic minorities. This incident led to the expulsion of Chinese diplomat Zhao Wei from Canada.

Neil Chantler, representing the Chinese Canadian Concern Group on the Chinese Communist Party’s Human Rights Violations, said the group is focused on monitoring Beijing’s reported foreign interference in Canada.

“There is perhaps no greater issue for the diaspora than foreign interference by the Communist Party of China,” Chantler said.

“The Concern Group’s members are firmly opposed to China’s efforts to suppress freedom of speech in Canada, manipulate our media, co-opt Chinese Canadian community groups, spread disinformation, harass, intimidate, and threaten members of the diaspora, and otherwise interfere with our democracy.”

Gregory Tzemenakis, who represents the Canadian government, told the commission the country has yet to face major foreign interference, but said the government remains vigilant against this “very real and pernicious threat.”

“While Canada has seen foreign interference activities and efforts, it has not faced the large-scale coordinated foreign interference efforts that have been observed in some other countries recently,” he told the commission.

The Interference Commission has heard testimony from diaspora groups affected by foreign interference. Following a public call in May, more than 140 individuals or groups submitted their insights, Hogue said. She reported meeting with several diaspora groups vulnerable to transnational repression and conducting 22 meetings where more than 100 people from various diasporas shared their experiences.

Intelligence Reports

In addition to investigating election interference, the commission is also reviewing intelligence reports from the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP). The report cited “troubling intelligence” that some parliamentarians have knowingly assisted foreign actors in interfering with Canadian politics.

Hogue indicated she will not publicize the names of the parliamentarians involved, stating that it’s essential to uphold the rule of law, which protects individuals’ rights to defend themselves.

Hogue also reiterated preliminary findings from the previous hearings and an initial report published in May. She said that although there were acts of interference in the past two federal elections, the integrity of Canada’s electoral system remained intact.

Hogue referenced the initial report’s finding that said foreign interference “diminished the ability of some voters to cast an informed vote.” The report identified Beijing as the “most persistent and sophisticated foreign interference threat to Canada,” with its malign actions affecting the 2019 and 2021 federal elections.

The report said that while interference impacted several ridings during the elections, it did not ultimately change the overall outcome.

The current round of hearings will continue until Oct. 16, with testimony expected from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, various cabinet ministers, and government department officials.