By Mata Press Service

Members of Canada’s diaspora communities are calling on the federal government to expedite the implementation of a long-promised foreign influence transparency registry, urging Ottawa to have the system operational before the next general election.

Foreign interference remains a pressing concern in Canada, as authoritarian states seek to manipulate political outcomes by covertly enlisting individuals to act on their behalf without disclosing these affiliations.

The planned foreign influence registry addresses this issue by requiring individuals engaged in such activities to register with the federal government, enhancing transparency and accountability.

The registry will be overseen by an independent commissioner, who will enforce compliance through a range of measures, including official notices, financial penalties, and, in severe cases, criminal charges.

Parliament passed the necessary legislation last year to establish the registry, yet progress on its implementation has been sluggish.

Gloria Fung, past-president of Canada-Hong Kong Link, voiced her concerns recently, stating that a significant gap remains because Ottawa has yet to appoint a commissioner or clearly outline the registry’s operational framework.

Fung, alongside representatives from other cultural organizations, participated in a news conference to highlight the persistent threats of foreign interference, including intimidation and coercion directed at diaspora communities.

New Democrat MP, Jenny Kwan, who also attended the event, criticized the government’s delay in launching the registry.

“Where is that registry? What does it entail, and what are the obligations for those affected? We have no clarity on any of these issues,” she said.

Despite inquiries, the office of Public Safety Minister David McGuinty and his department did not provide immediate responses regarding the status of the registry’s implementation.

A federal election is widely anticipated in late winter or early spring, following the selection of a new Liberal leader to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Concerns about foreign meddling in Canada’s past two general elections have been a key driver behind the government’s legislative push to strengthen safeguards, including the proposed influence registry.

Bill C-70, the legislation underpinning the registry, introduces new criminal offences targeting deceptive or covert actions that seek to manipulate democratic processes. These include clandestine efforts to sway candidate nominations and activities that enable foreign agents to enter Canada under false pretenses, such as posing as tourists.

A recent federal inquiry into foreign interference, led by Commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue, confirmed that while external meddling remains a tangible threat, Canada’s democratic institutions have largely withstood these pressures.

Hogue's report found no conclusive evidence that foreign interference altered the overall results of recent federal elections but flagged a limited number of ridings where such activity may have had some influence.

The inquiry’s final report put forth over 50 recommendations aimed at fortifying Canada’s resilience against foreign interference, enhancing transparency, and better protecting diaspora communities. One key recommendation was the creation of a highly visible, accessible reporting mechanism—such as a hotline—for individuals to report instances of foreign influence.

“So far, the hotline is nonexistent,” said Fung, who also serves as the convener of the Canadian Coalition for a Foreign Influence Transparency Registry, a group comprising over 30 multicultural, human rights, and policy organizations.

“Why is our government dragging its feet on implementing these crucial protections?”

Testimonies submitted to the Hogue inquiry underscored how authoritarian regimes often retaliate against individuals in Canada who speak out against them. Such retaliation frequently takes the form of threats, harassment, or direct consequences for family members in their countries of origin.

The coalition advocating for the registry emphasizes that the reporting system should allow individuals to submit information anonymously, provide multilingual support, and be expanded to cover cases of transnational repression designed to intimidate or silence members of diaspora communities.

Instances of foreign interference in Canada’s diaspora communities are well-documented.

Beijing, for example, has been accused of operating clandestine “police stations” in Canadian cities to monitor and intimidate members of the Chinese-Canadian community. Similarly, activists from Hong Kong, Uyghur, and Tibetan communities have reported being targeted by digital surveillance and smear campaigns orchestrated by pro-Beijing entities. Meanwhile, Iran’s government has faced allegations of attempting to silence dissidents in Canada through threats and coercion directed at their families back home.

India has also been implicated in foreign interference activities within Canada. Relations between the two nations deteriorated after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government of potential involvement in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and Sikh activist, in British Columbia.

The allegations sparked diplomatic tensions, leading to tit-for-tat expulsions of diplomats. In addition, Canadian intelligence agencies have warned of Indian influence operations targeting Sikh diaspora members, including surveillance, harassment, and attempts to shape political discourse in Canada.

Advocacy groups have raised concerns over the safety of Sikh activists and journalists who have criticized the Indian government, emphasizing the need for stronger protective measures against foreign interference.

The Hogue Commission’s report highlights India’s foreign interference in Canada:

· India’s role as the second-most active state actor engaging in electoral foreign interference in Canada, with its efforts focused on influencing Canadian policies to align with its own interests.

· Intelligence suggests that India provides illicit financial support to various Canadian politicians to secure the election of pro-Indian candidates or gain influence over candidates who take office.

· Classified evidence indicating India’s use of proxies and clandestine tactics to undermine support for Sikh advocacy, including through intimidation, extortion, surveillance, and disinformation campaigns.

· India uses disinformation as a key form of foreign interference against Canada, a tactic it is likely to use more often as India continues to develop its cyber capabilities.