It’s time to act on foreign interference, attacks on dissidents, say opposition MPs

Opposition parties are urging Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government to swiftly implement key provisions of the law passed last year to combat foreign interference, following recent revelations of increased attacks on Chinese dissidents living in Canada and abroad.

Conservative foreign affairs critic Michael Chong has labeled the aggressive actions by the Chinese government as a threat to Canadian democracy. He emphasized the need for concrete action to address the issue, stating that numerous reports and inquiries have highlighted the issue of transnational repression and foreign interference, and it is now time to take decisive steps.

The concerns raised by Chong come in response to an investigation conducted by CBC News in collaboration with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), which revealed a surge in attacks by the Chinese government on dissidents residing in Canada and other parts of the world. These attacks include questioning of family members in China, surveillance, threatening phone calls, online harassment, and the dissemination of fake explicit images online.

The targets of these attacks are often individuals who have expressed views contrary to the Chinese government’s stance on sensitive issues such as democracy in Hong Kong, treatment of Uyghurs, Tibetan freedom, the Falun Gong, and Taiwanese independence. Despite the gravity of the situation, the Chinese embassy has yet to respond to inquiries from CBC News.

Experts on China have expressed concern over the escalating attacks, noting that they pose a threat to democracy and national security in Canada. In response to the growing threats, Parliament passed Bill C-70 last June, which aimed to counter foreign influence in elections and transnational repression of dissidents in Canada. The legislation called for the establishment of a foreign agent registry and a foreign influence commissioner’s office. However, nearly a year later, these measures have not been implemented.

NDP MP Jenny Kwan emphasized the urgency of addressing the issue, stating that the government should prioritize countering foreign interference and transnational repression. She highlighted the lack of action taken by authorities when individuals targeted by China seek help, underscoring the need for stronger governmental support in such cases.

Bloc Québécois MP Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe echoed similar sentiments, warning that failing to act would send a message of impunity to China. He called for the inclusion of transnational repression in Canada’s Criminal Code to address the escalating threats.

Despite calls for action from opposition parties, Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree’s office has yet to provide a response to interview requests from CBC News. The Public Safety Department has stated that it is working on drafting regulations to enact Bill C-70 and establish the necessary infrastructure for the foreign agent registry and commissioner’s office.

In conclusion, the need to address foreign interference and transnational repression is paramount for safeguarding Canadian democracy and national security. The government must prioritize the implementation of measures outlined in Bill C-70 to combat these threats effectively. Failure to act swiftly could have serious implications for the safety and well-being of individuals targeted by foreign entities.