Politics
Commission Finds Trudeau Failed Canada Over Foreign Interference
A Commission into Foreign Interference in Canada’s elections has criticized Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for not acting quickly to safeguard Canadian elections from foreign interference. The findings raised concerns about trust in the country’s democratic system.
The report accused Trudeau’s government of being “insufficiently transparent” about foreign meddling and said it was often “too slow to respond” to interference attempts during the 2019 and 2021 elections, allegedly involving countries like China and India.
The commission emphasized in its final report after 18 months of hearings and review of classified intelligence that “trust in Canada’s democracy has been shaken, and restoring it is essential.”
Marie-Josée Hogue, a Quebec Court of Appeal justice who led the inquiry, criticized the government’s response as “piecemeal and underwhelming.” The report proposed 51 recommendations to strengthen Canada’s electoral system, including stricter rules for political parties, better oversight of campaign disinformation, and enhanced intelligence sharing. Justice Hogue urged swift implementation for at least half of these measures, ideally before the next election.
Trudeau was forced to step down.
The Trudeau government, however, did not immediately respond. Trudeau’s recent announcement that he will step down as Liberal Party leader and prime minister adds uncertainty about whether the recommendations can be enacted before the next election.
Liberal Party members are expected to select a new leader by March, with a general election likely a few months later. Experts worry the timeline might leave the election vulnerable. “This delay could reinforce the idea that interference seen in past elections will happen again,” said Ryan Alford, a legal scholar at Lakehead University.
The inquiry followed months of leaks to Canadian media, which exposed intelligence reports detailing foreign interference. Public hearings revealed how China and India attempted to sway election outcomes by supporting or opposing certain candidates—especially in districts with large Chinese and Indian diasporas in Toronto and Vancouver.
These communities became focal points of foreign influence efforts, targeting voters with personal and business ties to their countries of origin.
According to the inquiry, these actions did not significantly alter overall election results but may have impacted certain races. For example, evidence showed the Chinese government worked to undermine Conservative Party candidates, who have been critical of China’s human rights record.
Lack of Oversight
On the other hand, intelligence reports indicated Beijing favoured Liberal candidates, including one Toronto race where buses transported Chinese international students to vote for Han Dong, a candidate allegedly backed by China. According to a parliamentary committee, students were reportedly told their visas depended on supporting him.
The commission criticized the lack of oversight in Canada’s political party nomination processes, calling them “open gateways” for foreign interference. It also highlighted how diaspora communities face significant pressure, though the report stopped short of offering strong protections for these groups. A former national security analyst, Dennis Molinaro, noted, “Foreign interference often targets diaspora communities, yet the report didn’t address this issue thoroughly.”
Trudeau’s government initially resisted launching the inquiry, relenting only after intelligence leaks forced its hand. The leaks revealed China’s alleged role in multiple elections and, more recently, accusations that India orchestrated the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian Sikh leader, near Vancouver in 2023.
To combat foreign meddling, Parliament recently passed a law creating a registry for foreign agents and easing prosecution of interference cases. While Justice Hogue’s report acknowledged only “isolated cases” where interference may have influenced election outcomes, watchdog groups remain sceptical.
Duff Conacher of Democracy Watch argued the report underestimated the impact of interference, including disinformation campaigns and threats targeting diaspora communities. “This is not a minimal issue,” Conacher said. “It’s a serious threat to Canada’s democracy.”
Source: The New York Times, Privy Council Canada
