Police and Watchdogs Should Make Public Rulings on Foreign Collusion, Advocacy Group Says

The Parliament Buildings are seen in Ottawa on June 23, 2024. (Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times)

An advocacy group is calling for the police, as well as ethics and election watchdogs, to conduct independent investigations into allegations of foreign collusion involving Canadian parliamentarians, saying public rulings should be issued for each case to ensure transparency and accountability.

Democracy Watch issued the call in a June 27 statement, addressing the “Special Report on Foreign Interference in Canada’s Democratic Processes and Institutions” released this month by the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP). The report said that some MPs and Senators knowingly aided foreign states in efforts to influence Canadian politics, with China and India identified as the foreign states.

Some MPs, including the Conservatives and NDP MP Jenny Kwan, have called on the federal government to disclose the names of politicians allegedly involved in foreign interference. Meanwhile, all parties supported a motion to refer the issue to the foreign interference commission, which is investigating allegations of Chinese meddling in Canadian 2019 and 2021 federal elections.

In a public notice on June 17, the commission said it “takes note” of the government’s decision and didn’t need to expand its mandate to look into the allegations.

However, Democracy Watch said these actions do not ensure independent investigations or fairness, noting that intelligence reports often contain rumours or questionable evidence. The group also said that public inquiries typically avoid naming individuals based on rumours alone and lack authority to investigate, charge, prosecute, or find violations of Canadian law.

To address these concerns, Democracy Watch wants the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) to share intelligence information with provincial or local police forces, the Commissioner of Canada Elections, and local-level ethics and lobbying commissioners. These entities should then investigate each allegation and issue public rulings accordingly.

Democracy Watch said public rulings should include: an announcement of charges and prosecution of individuals or entities found guilty; an acknowledgment of clear evidence involving named individuals or entities in foreign interference, with reasons for not charging them if necessary; or a statement withholding names due to insufficient evidence of foreign collusion.

Bypassing RCMP and Federal Watchdogs

Democracy Watch also said foreign interference investigations should be handled by police forces other than the RCMP, expressing concern about the federal police force’s effectiveness and independence from the government. The group called for a new national police force that is more independent and transparent to address issues of foreign interference.

Duff Conacher, co-founder of Democracy Watch, expressed similar concerns about the federal Ethics Commissioner and Commissioner of Lobbying, noting that these positions are appointed by the cabinet.

The Epoch Times reached out to the RCMP, federal ethics commission, and lobbying commission for comment, but did not hear back immediately.

“All the loopholes in Canada’s election, political donation and spending, lobbying, and ethics laws must be closed,” Mr. Conacher said in the June 27 statement.

“Enforcement must be strengthened to stop foreign governments, businesses, and organizations from secretly interfering in and influencing Canadian politics, including through false claims on social media.”