Release of the Foreign Interference Commission’s Final Report
January 28th, 2025
Justice for All Canada welcomes the release of the Foreign Interference Commission’s Final Report. This landmark document brings much-needed attention to the challenge of foreign interference in Canada’s democracy. The report provides critical insight into the methods foreign states, such as China and India, use to interfere with Canada’s democratic institutions, including disinformation campaigns, manipulating diaspora communities, and transnational repression. These illegal actions have destabilized democratic processes and silenced dissenting voices in Canada (p. 22). Justice for All Canada was one of the organizations granted standing in the Foreign Interference Commission, representing vulnerable communities impacted by foreign interference and advocating for human rights. We are proud to have contributed to the Commission’s work by providing key insights and recommendations on safeguarding these communities and addressing transnational repression.
According to the report, China is currently the leading perpetrator of foreign interference in Canada, as it views Canada as a critical focus of its operations and specifically targets our democratic institutions (p. 39). One alarming example of foreign interference committed by China’s government is the disinformation campaign targeting political candidates in the 2021 federal election. Misleading narratives were spread about Conservative leader Erin O’Toole and MP Kenny Chiu, mischaracterizing them as “anti-China”. The campaign falsely claimed that Mr. Chiu’s proposed foreign influence registry would harm Chinese-Canadian communities. These narratives were then amplified by media outlets with suspected ties to China’s government, ultimately influencing perceptions in Chinese-speaking communities (p. 33-34).
The report also highlights the Chinese government’s retaliatory measures against Canadian officials who have advocated for human rights. After introducing a motion in Parliament in 2021 declaring China’s actions against Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims in East Turkistan (Xinjiang) as genocide, Mr. Chong and his family became targets of PRC sanctions (p. 36, 97).
Similarly, the report notes intelligence suggesting that Indian state actors were suspected of attempting to clandestinely influence Canadian federal politics, with allegations of financial support provided to certain actors (p. 36). It is worth noting that after China, the report identifies India as the second-most active foreign actor engaging in electoral interference in Canada (p. 40).
The report also addresses the critical issue of transnational repression, a dangerous trend where foreign states exert pressure on diaspora communities to stifle criticism and control narratives. Including this very issue in the Commissioner’s report is especially significant and highly anticipated because it brings important attention to pervasive threats faced by diaspora groups, including those advocating for human rights and justice. Transnational repression is a growing phenomenon Justice for All Canada has worked tirelessly to combat. Transnational repression directly impacts the safety, voice, and democratic participation of vulnerable communities. The report notes that China targets diaspora communities for the purposes of influence, repression, and the forcible return of individuals to China. Various methods are used to carry out these operations, including using an individual’s family and friends living in China as leverage against them (p. 98). Examples in the report include Chinese officials discouraging certain political candidates perceived as “anti-China” from participating in community events. Voters reportedly fear retaliation against family members in China if they support these candidates (p. 36).
With regards to India, the report notes that the country targets all levels of the Canadian government, in addition to the Indo-Canadian community as well as prominent non-Indo-Canadians (p. 40). A primary method of foreign interference used by India is disinformation, which the Commissioner notes is likely to be used more frequently in the future (p. 40). India is increasingly becoming a cyber threat to Canada (p. 98).
Recent events further highlight the threat of transnational repression in Canada. In June 2023, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian Sikh leader and activist was killed outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia. Canadian authorities have arrested and charged three Indian nationals in connection with his murder. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau later stated that Canadian intelligence agencies were "pursuing credible allegations of a potential link" between Indian government agents and Nijjar's assassination. Additionally, the influence of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a right-wing Hindu nationalist organization closely associated with India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has established networks in Canada. The RSS has been implicated in promoting Hindu nationalist ideologies, exerting pressure on South Asian communities, and fostering division and intolerance. In November 2024, a coalition of South Asian organizations in Canada urged the federal government to designate the RSS and its affiliates as hate groups.
In October 2024, the RCMP revealed significant findings of ongoing investigations linking agents of the Indian government to criminal activities and foreign interference in Canada, highlighting a serious threat to public safety and urging cooperation to protect the South Asian community and broader Canadian public. The Commissioner’s report noted that the RCMP’s statement was consistent with the classified evidence (p. 98).
These incidents indicate a pressing need to address transnational repression and foreign interference that threaten the safety and democratic participation of diaspora communities in Canada.
While the Commission found no evidence that foreign interference altered the outcomes of Canada’s federal elections, it clearly identified systemic issues. These include delayed government responses to interference, insufficient information-sharing with policymakers, and a lack of transparency about ongoing threats. For instance, reports of suspected Chinese government financial backing of political campaigns were deemed inconclusive, leading to government inaction due to the absence of clear protocols for addressing such cases (p. 30-32).
As an organization dedicated to defending human rights and amplifying marginalized voices, Justice for All Canada is particularly concerned about how these tactics threaten the safety, advocacy efforts, and freedom of expression within diaspora communities. We echo the report’s call for stronger safeguards, clearer policies for countering disinformation, and greater transparency in how foreign interference is addressed (p. 14).
Canada’s response to foreign interference must not unintentionally stigmatize minority communities. Instead, it should empower these communities to resist manipulation by foreign actors. We urge the federal government to swiftly implement the Commission’s 51 recommendations, particularly those focused on transparency, educating the public, and protecting diaspora communities from intimidation and disinformation (p. 22-23).
Sources
Page numbers cited correspond to the Executive Summary of the Final Report (Volume 1).
Justice for All Canada welcomes the release of the Foreign Interference Commission’s Final Report. This landmark document brings much-needed attention to the challenge of foreign interference in Canada’s democracy. The report provides critical insight into the methods foreign states, such as China and India, use to interfere with Canada’s democratic institutions, including disinformation campaigns, manipulating diaspora communities, and transnational repression. These illegal actions have destabilized democratic processes and silenced dissenting voices in Canada (p. 22). Justice for All Canada was one of the organizations granted standing in the Foreign Interference Commission, representing vulnerable communities impacted by foreign interference and advocating for human rights. We are proud to have contributed to the Commission’s work by providing key insights and recommendations on safeguarding these communities and addressing transnational repression.
According to the report, China is currently the leading perpetrator of foreign interference in Canada, as it views Canada as a critical focus of its operations and specifically targets our democratic institutions (p. 39). One alarming example of foreign interference committed by China’s government is the disinformation campaign targeting political candidates in the 2021 federal election. Misleading narratives were spread about Conservative leader Erin O’Toole and MP Kenny Chiu, mischaracterizing them as “anti-China”. The campaign falsely claimed that Mr. Chiu’s proposed foreign influence registry would harm Chinese-Canadian communities. These narratives were then amplified by media outlets with suspected ties to China’s government, ultimately influencing perceptions in Chinese-speaking communities (p. 33-34).
The report also highlights the Chinese government’s retaliatory measures against Canadian officials who have advocated for human rights. After introducing a motion in Parliament in 2021 declaring China’s actions against Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims in East Turkistan (Xinjiang) as genocide, Mr. Chong and his family became targets of PRC sanctions (p. 36, 97).
Similarly, the report notes intelligence suggesting that Indian state actors were suspected of attempting to clandestinely influence Canadian federal politics, with allegations of financial support provided to certain actors (p. 36). It is worth noting that after China, the report identifies India as the second-most active foreign actor engaging in electoral interference in Canada (p. 40).
The report also addresses the critical issue of transnational repression, a dangerous trend where foreign states exert pressure on diaspora communities to stifle criticism and control narratives. Including this very issue in the Commissioner’s report is especially significant and highly anticipated because it brings important attention to pervasive threats faced by diaspora groups, including those advocating for human rights and justice. Transnational repression is a growing phenomenon Justice for All Canada has worked tirelessly to combat. Transnational repression directly impacts the safety, voice, and democratic participation of vulnerable communities. The report notes that China targets diaspora communities for the purposes of influence, repression, and the forcible return of individuals to China. Various methods are used to carry out these operations, including using an individual’s family and friends living in China as leverage against them (p. 98). Examples in the report include Chinese officials discouraging certain political candidates perceived as “anti-China” from participating in community events. Voters reportedly fear retaliation against family members in China if they support these candidates (p. 36).
With regards to India, the report notes that the country targets all levels of the Canadian government, in addition to the Indo-Canadian community as well as prominent non-Indo-Canadians (p. 40). A primary method of foreign interference used by India is disinformation, which the Commissioner notes is likely to be used more frequently in the future (p. 40). India is increasingly becoming a cyber threat to Canada (p. 98).
Recent events further highlight the threat of transnational repression in Canada. In June 2023, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian Sikh leader and activist was killed outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia. Canadian authorities have arrested and charged three Indian nationals in connection with his murder. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau later stated that Canadian intelligence agencies were "pursuing credible allegations of a potential link" between Indian government agents and Nijjar's assassination. Additionally, the influence of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a right-wing Hindu nationalist organization closely associated with India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has established networks in Canada. The RSS has been implicated in promoting Hindu nationalist ideologies, exerting pressure on South Asian communities, and fostering division and intolerance. In November 2024, a coalition of South Asian organizations in Canada urged the federal government to designate the RSS and its affiliates as hate groups.
In October 2024, the RCMP revealed significant findings of ongoing investigations linking agents of the Indian government to criminal activities and foreign interference in Canada, highlighting a serious threat to public safety and urging cooperation to protect the South Asian community and broader Canadian public. The Commissioner’s report noted that the RCMP’s statement was consistent with the classified evidence (p. 98).
These incidents indicate a pressing need to address transnational repression and foreign interference that threaten the safety and democratic participation of diaspora communities in Canada.
While the Commission found no evidence that foreign interference altered the outcomes of Canada’s federal elections, it clearly identified systemic issues. These include delayed government responses to interference, insufficient information-sharing with policymakers, and a lack of transparency about ongoing threats. For instance, reports of suspected Chinese government financial backing of political campaigns were deemed inconclusive, leading to government inaction due to the absence of clear protocols for addressing such cases (p. 30-32).
As an organization dedicated to defending human rights and amplifying marginalized voices, Justice for All Canada is particularly concerned about how these tactics threaten the safety, advocacy efforts, and freedom of expression within diaspora communities. We echo the report’s call for stronger safeguards, clearer policies for countering disinformation, and greater transparency in how foreign interference is addressed (p. 14).
Canada’s response to foreign interference must not unintentionally stigmatize minority communities. Instead, it should empower these communities to resist manipulation by foreign actors. We urge the federal government to swiftly implement the Commission’s 51 recommendations, particularly those focused on transparency, educating the public, and protecting diaspora communities from intimidation and disinformation (p. 22-23).
Sources
Page numbers cited correspond to the Executive Summary of the Final Report (Volume 1).