Elections Commissioner Caroline Simard’s Annual Update to Parliament on September 12 did not mention China, despite the report’s requirement to provide updates on investigations into alleged foreign election fraud in Canada. Prior to the expulsion of a Chinese spy on May 8, Simard had rejected 116 complaints of interference and had 58 under review. This omission is significant as foreign interference has been a concern for Canadians in terms of trust in democratic processes.
Simard acknowledged that the issue of foreign interference has had an impact on Canadians’ trust in institutions and the democratic process. The commissioner also stated that investigators are assessing the complaints with the intention of resolving as many as possible before the next federal election. However, it is too early to determine the outcome of their work or if any formal measures will be taken.
Although the Elections Act prohibits foreign interference, Simard noted that it is a complex issue that may go beyond the scope of the Act. She emphasized the need for all Canadians and stakeholders to collaborate in order to protect the integrity of Canada’s election processes.
The report also provides statistics on complaints and referrals received throughout the year, as well as information on compliance and enforcement measures taken in 2022. Despite the expulsion of a Chinese diplomat and allegations of interference activities linked to Conservative MP Michael Chong, the report only vaguely refers to “foreign third parties” without specifically mentioning China.
The Chinese regime has been accused of conducting interference campaigns, including elections interference and targeting politicians and dissidents in Canada. Conservative MP Michael Chong has shed light on the tactics used by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) during his testimony before the U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China. Chong’s personal experience with threats and disinformation campaigns highlights the concerning strategies employed by the CCP.
Simard’s briefing acknowledges that investigations into foreign meddling often create delays and present challenges due to the complexity of the issue. Acquiring adequate evidence from abroad can be time-consuming and resource-intensive, and foreign jurisdictional limitations can make it impossible in some cases. Simard assured that all complaints are thoroughly reviewed and emphasized the rigorous and comprehensive approach taken in assessing allegations of foreign interference in both the 2019 and 2021 general elections.