A new special report on foreign interference in Canada by the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) raises several concerns, including a number of vulnerabilities within Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government, and says that some “witting” parliamentarians are involved with foreign agents.

Tabled on Monday, the partially-redacted 84-page report that suggests the federal Liberals’ have done next to nothing in terms of countering foreign interference in Canada.

This, it reads, has helped “to create an environment where foreign states may interfere in Canada’s democratic processes and institutions.” 

The missteps include having vague criteria on what constitutes foreign interference, their lack of robust tools to counter known threats; their failure to assess or actually do anything about concerning intelligence reports; as well as “the lack of effective communication with federal parliamentarians.” 

The report further details how foreign actors, through campaign donations and other favours, have successfully leveraged relationships with influential Canadians, including members of the Liberal Party.

“Some (of the activities) may be illegal, but are unlikely to lead to criminal charges, owing to Canada’s failure to address the long-standing issue of protecting classified information and methods in judicial processes,” it states, adding, “Regardless, all the behaviours are deeply unethical and, the committee would submit, contrary to the oaths and affirmations Parliamentarians take to conduct themselves in the best interests of Canada.”

It also states that foreign agents are targeting Canada with hacking and disinformation campaigns to achieve their objectives, including “targeting information technology systems that support the election process, owners and operators of elections systems, individuals accountable for elections (e.g., election officials), and vendors of election system hardware and software.”

The report calls for a comprehensive review and strengthening of measures to safeguard Canada’s democratic processes and institutions.

China bribing mainstream Canadian media

According to Sam Cooper of The Bureau, an unredacted June 2019 NSICOP report stated that the China was directing journalists to produce favourable media coverage towards Beijing-friendly electoral candidates, as well as pro-CCP propaganda.

That document allegedly asserted that the CCP has been feeding foreign media outlets, including some unnamed ones in Canada, “massive infusions of money.”