Foreign interference in the 2019 and 2021 Canadian general elections did not affect the overall election results, according to a federal commission of inquiry led by Commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue. However, the inquiry found that such interference did undermine public confidence in Canadian democracy.
Inquiry Findings
Commissioner Hogue’s report, released after extensive testimony and review of secret documents, concluded that while foreign meddling, particularly from China, did not alter the integrity of Canada’s electoral system or the election outcomes, it did impact public confidence. The report acknowledges that foreign interference is a persistent issue, likened to crime in its omnipresence and evolution.
Specific Instances of Interference
The inquiry highlighted two notable instances:
The 2019 Liberal nomination race in Toronto’s Don Valley North, where there was a flagged but unproven incident involving Chinese international students.
The 2021 election in British Columbia’s Steveston-Richmond East, where there was a “reasonable possibility” that Chinese interference affected the outcome against Conservative candidate Kenny Chiu.
Impact on Public Confidence
The report stresses that foreign interference has eroded the trust of Canadian voters in the electoral process, potentially leading to more significant future impacts if not adequately addressed. This erosion of trust is seen as one of the most substantial harms to Canadian democracy resulting from foreign interference.
Government Response and Future Measures
The inquiry also examined the government’s response to foreign interference. A federal protocol established in 2019 mandates a public announcement if interference threatens the fairness of an election, though no such announcement was made in the recent elections. The inquiry will next explore broader policy issues, including the government’s capacity to detect, deter, and counter foreign interference.
Historical Context and Ongoing Concerns
The report places the recent findings within a broader historical context, noting that foreign interference is not a new phenomenon but has evolved in method and scale. The ongoing inquiry aims to address these challenges by recommending measures to strengthen Canada’s defenses against such meddling, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a robust and uncoerced democratic process.
Foreign meddling undermined public confidence in Canadian democracy: inquiry report
