Parliamentary Committee Notes: Foreign Interference: Election Interference
Date: February 2, 2023
Classification: Unclassified
Fully releasable (ATIP)? Yes
Branch / Agency: NCSB/PS
General Election Interference:
- We know that democratic institutions and processes around the world, including elections, are valuable targets for foreign interference. Canada is not immune to these threats.
- We are aware that threat actors have sought to clandestinely target politicians, political parties, electoral nomination processes and media outlets to influence public opinion and ultimately advance their interests.
- These efforts erode trust in our democratic institutions and stoke tensions about government policies and decisions.
- Canada’s democratic institutions and processes are strong and resilient. Our agencies work to support an integrated government response by monitoring and reporting on threats, and providing advice to ensure continued protection of our democracy.
- As part of these efforts, CSIS investigates threats, advises government and, as necessary, may take measures to reduce threats to Canada’s security including those orchestrated by foreign states.
- The RCMP also plays an important role by investigating criminal offences related to HASA, including those targeting Canada’s democratic institutions and processes.
Allegations of PRC Interference Activities in Canadian Elections
- We are aware of allegations that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) have sought to interfere with Canada’s election process and influence public opinion, ultimately to advance their interests.
- Canada will never accept infringements on the safety and security of our society and has in place a number of measures to protect Canadians from foreign interference, and ensure the integrity of our democratic process.
- While I cannot provide more detail regarding specific threat activity, I can assure Canadians that our security and intelligence agencies investigate allegations of interference in Canada’s democratic institutions or processes by a foreign state, in accordance with their mandated authorities, and that the RCMP investigates foreign interference, further to its mandate.
Security and Intelligence Threats to Elections (SITE) Task Force
- In the lead up to the 2019 Federal Election, the Security Intelligence Threats to Elections (SITE) Task Force was created to protect Canada’s federal election.
- The SITE Task Force coordinates intelligence and information between the Communications Security Establishment, Global Affairs Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and CSIS.
- Over the course of the 2019 and 2021 Federal Election, CSIS and the RCMP worked closely with members of the SITE Task Force to coordinate efforts against foreign interference by raising awareness, assessing threats, and preparing the government’s response to them.
- The SITE Task Force also remains active outside of election periods, as threats to democratic institutions, such as foreign interference and disinformation, have not abated.
Background
Threats to Democracy
Canada has observed state-sponsored information manipulation, aimed at reshaping or undermining the rules-based-international order. Disinformation, originating from anywhere in the world, can have serious consequences including threats to the safety and security of Canadians, erosion of trust in our democratic institutions, and confusion about government policies and notices.
The Government of Canada’s security and intelligence community is combatting these threats within their respective mandates. CSIS is working closely with other government partners, inside and outside the security and intelligence community, to address clandestine, deceptive or threatening interference activities that can pose significant harm to our democratic institutions and processes. For example, CSIS has longstanding investigations into foreign interference threat activities targeting democratic processes and institutions across Canada. The provision of CSIS intelligence and assessments to senior levels of government allows for informed decision-making when responding to and developing policies to address these threats. Likewise, the RCMP has a broad, multifaceted mandate to ensure public safety by investigating, disrupting and preventing foreign interference drawing upon authorities enshrined in various legislation.
Although Canada’s electoral system is strong, threat actors have sought to target its politicians, political parties, elections, and media outlets in order to manipulate Canadian public opinion and interfere with Canada’s democracy. CSIS delivers briefings to protect against this threat, with the aim of promoting awareness of hostile activities by state actors and strengthening security practices.
Information manipulation, in particular disinformation, has been a subject of international collaboration. Canada has discussed the threat and possible responses across a variety of bilateral and multilateral engagements and fora. For example, you represent Canada at the Five-Country Ministerial (FCM), an annual forum where Five Eyes security ministers meet to discuss opportunities for collaboration and information sharing on various national security issues, including Hostile Activities by State Actors (HASA). These discussions include the sharing of respective approaches to shared issues, and the coordination of a cohesive Five Eyes response.
Election Interference
In an effort to counter foreign interference against the 2019 Federal Election, the Government created the SITE Task Force. As members of the SITE Task Force, CSIS was involved in efforts to raise awareness and assess foreign interference threats against the 2019 and 2021 federal elections, and the RCMP provided law enforcement expertise. The SITE Task Force remains outside of election periods, as threats to democratic institutions, such as foreign interference and disinformation, have not abated.
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