Parliamentary Committee Notes: Foreign Interference: Election Interference
Date: June 13, 2023
Branch/Agency: NCSB
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 foreign interference, 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 will provide enhanced monitoring and assessment of foreign interference threats during the ongoing by-elections.
- 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.
Review of national security responses to foreign election interference
- The Prime Minister announced further action to combat foreign interference and uphold confidence in our democratic institutions.
- He has asked the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) to complete a review to assess the state of foreign interference in federal electoral processes. The NSICOP will look at foreign interference attempts that occurred in the 43rd and 44th federal general elections, including potential effects on Canada’s democracy and institutions, and have their findings and recommendations reported to Parliament.
- He spoke to the Chair of the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA) about a review of how Canada’s national security agencies handled the threat of foreign interference during the 43rd and 44th federal general elections, specifically around the flow of information from national security agencies to decision makers.
- As part of the mandate of the Independent Special Rapporteur on Foreign Interference, the Right Honourable David Johnston released his interim report outlining recommendations on protecting and enhancing Canadians’ faith in our democracy. Among the various findings, Mr. Johnston noted that “The elections of 2019 and 2021 were well protected by sophisticated mechanisms, and there is no basis to lack confidence in their results.”
- That said, Mr. Johnston noted in his report that more is required to address modern threats.
- On 9 June, Mr. Johnston resigned from his position citing the intense politicization of his appointment and work as the reason for his departure.
- The Government thanks Mr. Johnston for his dedication and public service in accepting the role of the ISR.
- The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring the trust and confidence of Canadians in our democratic institutions.
New efforts to combat foreign interference
- The Government of Canada has launched public consultations to guide the creation of a Foreign Influence Transparency Registry in Canada to ensure transparency and accountability from people who advocate on behalf of a foreign government and ensure communities who are often targeted by attempts at foreign interference are protected.
- The Government has established a new National Counter Foreign Interference Coordinator at Public Safety Canada to coordinate efforts to combat foreign interference.
- Canada will develop a plan to address outstanding recommendations from the NSICOP, the independent assessment of the Protocol (Rosenberg Report), and other reviews on these matters.
Informing Members of Parliament
- As I’m sure you can appreciate, there are important limits to what can be publicly discussed given the need to protect sensitive activities, techniques, methods, and sources of intelligence.
- For several years, the Canadian Security and Intelligence Service has been warning Canadians that the PRC conducts foreign interference targeting elected officials – from all parties, and all levels of government, across Canada. In 2022, CSIS produced over 2,500 intelligence products on foreign interference and other threats to Canada.
- CSIS is committed to equipping elected officials to identify foreign interference threats and take measures to ensure their personal safety, including by providing briefings. In 2022 alone, CSIS conducted 49 briefings with federal elected officials.
- CSIS met with MP Erin O’Toole on Friday, May 26, to discuss potential foreign interference threats posed to him. Recent media coverage of PRC-directed foreign interference has impacted the threat environment. During the briefing, under the authorities in s.12.1 of the CSIS Act, the Service lawfully shared a variety of pieces of intelligence in order for Mr. O’Toole to better understand the nature of the foreign interference operations targeting him.
- In the May 26, 2023, briefing, CSIS confirmed that it has no information that Mr. O’Toole or his family faced any physical threats.
- To date, PRC foreign interference targeting Canadian elected officials or their families has not amounted to any threat of physical harm. If CSIS becomes aware of a physical threat to personal safety, it will urgently advise the Police of Jurisdiction, as per existing authorities under the CSIS Act.
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 on countering foreign interference. 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.
Contacts:
Prepared by: NCSB/NSOD
Approved by: Patrick Boucher, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, 613-990-4976
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