As foreign actors work to influence Canada’s election, how safe is your vote?

When Henry Chan, a Hong Kong democracy activist, decided to run for a Saskatchewan Party nomination in Saskatoon, he never expected to find himself questioning if he had been targeted by foreign meddling. During his campaign, Chan was approached by someone with potential ties to the Chinese Communist Party, who asked him what he was willing to do for the Chinese people in exchange for support for his nomination. Chan declined the offer, but the incident left him concerned about the integrity of the entire political process.

Chan’s experience is just one example of the growing concerns around foreign interference in Canadian elections. Security and intelligence officials have been briefing reporters weekly on efforts to sway political opinions, including orchestrated campaigns on Chinese-language social media platforms. These attempts to manipulate public perception have raised questions about the safety of the upcoming federal election.

Justice Marie-Josée Hogue’s investigation into the 2019 and 2021 elections highlighted the prevalence of meddling, misinformation, and disinformation. While her report did not conclude that foreign interference had significantly impacted the outcomes of those elections, she warned that these threats would only increase in future contests.

Gloria Fung, an advocate for democracy in Hong Kong, has been pushing for the establishment of a foreign influence transparency registry in Canada. She warns that political parties are often unaware of how easily consular officials and other proxies can infiltrate campaigns and manipulate opinions. Fung has already identified coordinated disinformation campaigns during previous elections, targeting candidates critical of human rights abuses in China.

Hogue’s inquiry also revealed vulnerabilities in party leadership races, with attempts at meddling detected in the Conservative and Liberal leadership races. The disqualification of two Indian Canadian candidates from the Liberal leadership race raised concerns about transparency and potential foreign interference. Balpreet Singh, representing the Sikh Coalition, believes that greater transparency is needed to dispel suspicions and combat racist stereotypes.

Chief Electoral Officer Stéphane Perrault acknowledges the need for increased education on election integrity but believes that regulating political speech could compromise the neutrality of his office. Instead, Elections Canada has launched civics education programs in multiple languages to help voters understand the safeguards in place.

As Canadians prepare to head to the polls, the issue of foreign interference remains a significant concern. With ongoing efforts to sway public opinion and influence election outcomes, it is essential for voters to remain vigilant and informed. By understanding the threats and working to combat misinformation, Canadians can help protect the integrity of their democracy.