Commission Hears Beijing’s Inadvertent Disinformation Campaign Against MP Exposed

October 4, 2024 TruthUSA

A potential disinformation campaign believed to be directed by Beijing and targeting Conservative MP Michael Chong was inadvertently uncovered by Global Affairs Canada during a period where the department was focusing on safeguarding byelections against foreign interference.

RRobin Wettlaufer, an official at Global Affairs Canada, informed the Foreign Interference Commission on October 4 that it is likely that the disinformation campaign would not have been detected outside of an electoral timeframe.

Wettlaufer, who serves as the director of the Centre for International Digital Policy within Global Affairs Canada, home to the Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) responsible for monitoring state-sponsored disinformation, explained that the RRM typically concentrates on foreign digital spaces but shifts its attention domestically during election periods.

Global Affairs Canada had publicly disclosed in August 2023 the discovery of a disinformation campaign against MP Chong on the Chinese social media platform WeChat, which occurred in early May 2023. The department concluded that it was highly likely that Beijing was behind the campaign spreading false narratives about Chong.

During this time, the RRM was focused on monitoring threats related to three byelections scheduled for June 2023.

Simultaneously, there were media leaks about Beijing’s interference, including one article in The Globe and Mail on May 1, 2023, concerning the targeting of MP Chong by the Chinese government. Subsequently, Global Affairs Canada expelled a Chinese diplomat reportedly involved in the scheme a week later.

The RRM reported that the WeChat disinformation operation against Chong occurred between May 4 and May 13, 2023, coinciding with the expulsion of the Chinese diplomat.

Fraser Harland, representing MP Chong at the inquiry, questioned Wettlaufer on whether continuous monitoring of domestic social media is the only way to detect such disinformation campaigns.

Wettlaufer responded, “I think there’s an acknowledgment that collectively, as the Government of Canada, we aim to conduct such monitoring.” She mentioned ongoing discussions on the issue.

Wettlaufer noted that the RRM monitors WeChat globally on a regular basis and indicated that if a significant disinformation campaign were to occur during the next election, the RRM would likely identify it.

WeChat is a popular social media platform in the Chinese community, offering instant messaging and mobile payment services.

A joint intelligence assessment by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and the Privy Council Office revealed Beijing’s influence over Chinese-language media in Canada, citing WeChat as a major Chinese news provider. The assessment mentioned over one million WeChat users in Canada.

According to the assessment, WeChat’s design allows CCP to censor news content in line with domestic standards, enabling surveillance, repression, and influence over overseas Chinese individuals. Its platform design can also contribute to the spread of disinformation and misinformation benefiting CCP interests.

Wettlaufer mentioned that the RRM had not detected any WeChat disinformation campaigns during byelections since the 2021 general election.

A CSIS representative, testifying anonymously at the inquiry alongside Wettlaufer, stated that recent byelections did not show a significant Chinese presence in demographics.

Previous public hearings of the commission addressed the impact of disinformation on WeChat during the 2021 election, focusing on Erin O’Toole and Kenny Chiu, who were targeted for their views on China.

An intelligence task force SITE reported post-election online activities aimed at dissuading Chinese Canadians from supporting O’Toole and Chiu, observing potential coordination between Canadian and Chinese news outlets.

Although there was no clear evidence of foreign interference by the PRC, SITE noted indicators suggesting coordination with PRC-connected outlets.

A 2023 CSIS briefing for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau indicated that the nature of the campaign pointed to orchestration or direction by the PRC.

The commission is set to conclude its hearings on October 16, with Trudeau scheduled to testify. The final report must be submitted to the government by year-end.

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