FILE PHOTO: People line up outside a polling station to vote in Canada's federal election, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada September 20, 2021. REUTERS/Mark Blinch/File Photo

A report released by Canada’s Foreign Interference Commission on Tuesday found that although China and India attempted to meddle in Canada’s elections, their interference did not change the results. The investigation, launched in September 2023, was a response to media reports suggesting Chinese interference in the 2019 and 2021 elections, both of which were won by the ruling Liberal Party. The report confirmed the findings of an earlier report in May 2024, which stated that while foreign interference didn’t affect the election outcomes, it did hurt public trust in the electoral system.

China rejected the claims, calling them “groundless accusations,” and said it had never interfered in Canada’s affairs. Similarly, India denied the allegations and accused Canada of interfering in India’s matters.

The Commission stated that foreign interference has been a growing issue in Canada, with changing tactics from countries like China and India. While the government did put measures in place to combat this interference, the report criticized its slow response and poor communication about the issue.

The investigation found that China was the biggest source of interference, targeting all levels of Canadian government, while India was the second-most active. Despite these challenges, the report emphasized that Canada’s democratic institutions remained strong.

As the Liberal Party prepares to choose a new leader after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation, polls show that the Conservative Party, which has criticized Trudeau for not addressing the interference seriously, is likely to win in the next election, which could happen as early as spring 2025.

This investigation highlights a growing concern about foreign influence in Canadian politics, with experts urging for more transparency and faster responses to safeguard the integrity of the country’s democracy.

(Source: Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/canada-responded-slowly-foreign-meddling-elections-were-not-altered-probe-finds-2025-01-28

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *