Participants in the federal public inquiry are calling on Ottawa to take bolder action against foreign interference by effectively using legal tools, closing loopholes and promoting public education. .
The Commission of Inquiry into Foreign Interference heard final submissions from political parties, diaspora and human rights groups, and federal government lawyers on Thursday.
Weeks of hearings that began in mid-September focused on federal agencies’ ability to detect, deter, and counter foreign interference. The committee also held a series of policy roundtables this week.
Thursday’s submission included partisan criticism and serious policy recommendations.
Neil Chantler, president of the Chinese Canadian Concern Group, said people of Chinese descent have been threatened with death threats, harassment, coercion, cyberattacks and false accusations aimed at silencing their voices and discouraging them from participating in Canadian democracy. He said he was experiencing an epidemic of information and disinformation campaigns.
In China and Hong Kong, he said, family members could be threatened because of political views expressed in Canada.
“The federal government is probably doing little to counter this threat of foreign interference.”
He called for a multi-pronged approach, including stronger regulatory oversight of foreign ownership and influence in Canadian media, and stronger media literacy and critical thinking, to “develop a more informed and resilient population.” I asked him to do it.
Sarah Taich, head of the Human Rights Coalition, said tackling foreign interference and cross-border repression requires “a clear-eyed, victim-centered strategy”.
“There’s a lot of work to be done, but it’s all doable.”
She said Canada cooperates with foreign dictators on criminal matters, uses sanctions, bans perpetrators from Canada, resettles victims and supports the most vulnerable “in a way that requires support.” He insisted on withdrawing the support agreement.
Conservative lawyer Nando De Luca said the evidence presented in the inquiry shows that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberals have no idea what the “critically serious problem of foreign interference should be”. He said this supports the idea that he is prioritizing image and party over country. .
On policy, he said the committee should ensure that the government has constitutional and legislative resources at its disposal to combat foreign interference.
“When public servants, elected officials, and others involved in public life are targeted by foreign interference, we can let them know,” he said. “The Prime Minister has no problem going to the House of Commons to disclose otherwise sensitive information if he wishes.”
Aaron Schall of the Center for International Governance Innovation said one of the key challenges facing investigators in their fact-finding role is to provide the public with a clear, evidence-based assessment of the impact of foreign interference. He said that.
He cited a phenomenon he calls “filtered transparency,” which includes the unauthorized leakage of selectively sensitive information, media coverage of those leaks, partisan political battles, and the findings of independent special agency public investigations. said that a combination of factors led to the task being referred to a public inquiry. Reporter.
“Frankly, the obvious beneficiaries of filtered transparency are hostile and adversarial state actors.”
He called for “genuine transparency with appropriate safeguards” to protect national security.
“The utility and value of being able to discuss national security issues in public is demonstrated to a remarkable degree by the work of this committee.”
Federal Solicitor Gregory Tsemenakis said work is underway to ensure Canada remains resilient and resistant to bad actors.
“Canada understands foreign interference and our defenses against foreign interference are strong,” he said.
“Canada continues to build these defenses. Our government recognizes the need for unwavering vigilance and firm resolve. Canada is ready for the next election. We are actively working. We’re involved. We’re ready.”
In her interim report in May, Marie-Josée Hogue said that foreign interference by China had no impact on the overall outcome of the past two general elections.
The report said it was possible that the results of a small number of rides were influenced by interference, but it could not be said with certainty.
Hogue’s final report is expected to be submitted by the end of the year.
He said on Thursday that after receiving final written views from the parties, the committee would analyze and consider the matter with a view to making “sound and efficient recommendations.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 24, 2024.
