Foreign interference watchdog to be named next month, public safety minister says

Canada is set to establish its first foreign interference watchdog next month, with a new foreign agent registry to follow later this fall. Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree announced in an interview with CBC News that combatting transnational repression and foreign interference in Canada is a top priority for Prime Minister Mark Carney.

The legislation for these measures was passed in June 2024, in response to revelations of foreign interference in Canadian affairs. The new legislation includes the appointment of a foreign interference transparency commissioner and the creation of a public registry listing foreign government agents operating in Canada.

Anandasangaree revealed that the government is currently vetting potential candidates for the commissioner role and aims to present them to the opposition parties for review before Parliament resumes on September 15. Once the commissioner is appointed, the government will move forward with the necessary regulations to establish the foreign agent registry.

The minister emphasized the urgency of addressing transnational repression, citing recent attacks on Canada by U.S. President Donald Trump as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding Canadian sovereignty and security. He also highlighted the findings of a public inquiry into foreign interference led by Justice Marie-Josée Hogue, which identified the People’s Republic of China as a significant perpetrator of foreign interference targeting Canadian democratic institutions.

A recent CBC News investigation exposed cases of Chinese transnational repression in Canada, with dissidents being targeted for expressing dissenting views on issues such as democracy in Hong Kong, treatment of Uyghurs, Tibetan independence, the Falun Gong, and Taiwanese sovereignty. Anandasangaree condemned these actions as unacceptable and confirmed that the government is investigating allegations of Chinese government-run centers in Canadian cities engaging in transnational repression.

The minister reiterated the government’s commitment to upholding Canadian laws and protecting residents from foreign interference. He emphasized that any attempts to undermine Canadian sovereignty will be met with decisive action, and that the government is working to ensure the safety and security of all Canadians.