Canada confirmed the interference of the Chinese regime in its 2019 and 2021 general elections

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Canada Confirms Chinese Interference in 2019 and 2021 Elections

The Canadian Foreign Interference Commission released a preliminary report on Friday confirming the interference of the Chinese regime in the 2019 and 2021 general elections. While the acts of interference did not impact the electoral results in favor of Justin Trudeau’s Liberal party, they raised concerns about the integrity of the democratic process.

Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue stated that despite the interference, the electoral system remained intact, and the legitimate victory of the Liberal Party was ensured. The report highlighted instances of interference, particularly in a Toronto electoral district where Chinese international students were mobilized by Beijing to influence the selection of the Liberal Party candidate for deputy.

Although the victory of the Liberal candidate in the constituency was likely, the Commission noted that Chinese intervention influenced the outcome. China was identified as the greatest threat to Canada’s electoral space, using tactics such as disinformation, financial support, cyberattacks, and social media manipulation.

Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Security, Democratic Institutions, and Intergovernmental Affairs, emphasized the government’s commitment to strengthening electoral security measures in response to the findings. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified before a panel last month, reaffirming his government’s efforts to counter foreign interference.

Diplomatic tensions between Ottawa and Beijing have escalated since the arrest of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou in 2018, leading to the retaliatory arrests of two Canadians by China. The Foreign Interference Commission is set to release a final report in December, offering more insights into the developments and government responses to foreign interference.

The commission’s creation followed the leak of documents indicating Chinese financing of multiple candidates during the elections. Despite Beijing’s denial of interference, the findings underscore the need for continued vigilance to protect the integrity of Canada’s electoral process.