India, China, Pakistan and Iran are all expected to make efforts to subvert the Canada vote, according to The Guardian, quoting senior officials, who claim .
As Canadians prepare to vote on April 28, top officials have warned that increasingly sophisticated disinformation campaigns are likely to be launched, aiming to manipulate public opinion, especially within diaspora communities. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in these efforts is anticipated to play a significant role in spreading misinformation. A major inquiry into foreign interference earlier this year identified information manipulation as one of the largest threats to democratic integrity.
Speaking to the reporters Vanessa Lloyd, deputy director of operations for Canada’s spy agency, recently said that the challenge of detecting such interference, noting that threat actors have adapted their tactics to make their activities harder to detect. She also highlighted that the government’s security and intelligence task force is actively working to minimize the impact of these foreign interference campaigns.
The Guardian reports that between late January and early February, China had reportedly targeted Chrystia Freeland, the former finance minister and Liberal leadership contender, in a malicious disinformation campaign on WeChat. The campaign, which was viewed as many as 3 million times, was part of the broader foreign influence efforts.
In another development, the Globe and Mail reported that Chandra Arya, a former Liberal leadership candidate, was disqualified from the race amid concerns over his connections to India and his potential vulnerability to foreign influence. Arya, who had represented the riding of Nepean since 2015, was told in January that he could not run for leadership and was later informed he was ineligible to contest his seat in the upcoming election. The Liberal Party has not provided further details, but according to a security source who spoke to the Globe and Mail said that Arya travelled to India in August and met the prime minister, Narendra Modi. His trip raised suspicions, particularly following the ongoing diplomatic tensions surrounding India’s involvement in the killing of a Sikh activist on Canadian soil.
Arya defended his actions, asserting that he had never been required to seek government permission for his diplomatic engagements. He also pointed out that the point of contention with the Liberal party has been his outspoken advocacy on issues important to Hindu Canadians and firm stance against the Khalistani extremism,
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mark Carney, who does not hold a seat in the House of Commons, has announced his intention to contest the Nepean riding, previously held by Arya. Speaking to the reporters Carney denied that foreign interference had caused delays in the party’s candidate nominations.
The issue of foreign influence has also affected the opposition Conservative Party. Allegations, reported by the Globe and Mail, have surfaced suggesting that India attempted to influence the 2022 Conservative leadership race, possibly aiming to help Pierre Poilievre secure the leadership. While Poilievre has denied any foreign interference in his win, it is believed that he was unaware of India’s efforts.
“I won the leadership fair and square,” Poilievre said in response to the allegations.
However, Canada’s spy agency could not provide Poilievre with the information on the interference, as he does not hold the necessary security clearance. As reported by Guardian, Poilievre has come under criticism for rejecting an offer to obtain a security clearance, with experts questioning why a leader aspiring to become prime minister would not pursue it.
As per Guardian, interference from countries like India and China has long been expected, but the potential influence of U.S. figures like Donald Trump, Elon Musk could also play a role in shaping the election’s outcome.
Despite these concerns, Canada’s Chief Electoral Officer, Stéphane Perrault, has stated that his office is not aware of any specific threats from the United States.