CSIS Chief Advised Trudeau of Government’s Slow Response to Foreign Interference, Reportedly

Canada’s spy agency director confirmed that he had warned the government about the need to address foreign interference, after being called back to testify at the foreign interference inquiry on April 12.

During his testimony at the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference, Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) Director David Vigneault mentioned a briefing to the prime minister that highlighted Canada’s slow response compared to its allies in countering foreign interference, with no legal or political consequences for those involved in such activities in Canada.

The revelation of the CSIS document prompted Vigneault’s recall to the inquiry, as the content had not been previously shared with the prime minister verbally. The director clarified that the written briefings were intended for his reference only and were not necessarily meant to be transmitted verbally.

The CSIS briefings from October 2022 and February 2023 emphasized the lack of action by the Canadian government in countering foreign interference, citing the absence of consequences for nefarious activities in Canada. The agency highlighted the need for legislative initiatives and proactive measures to deter future interference.

CSIS also noted that state actors were able to conduct interference activities in Canada with little risk and high rewards due to the lack of legal or political repercussions.

Vigneault confirmed that he had raised these concerns with various officials, including the government, through written and verbal communication.

‘Significant Harm’

CSIS highlighted the ongoing significant harm caused by foreign interference threats in its October briefing, stressing the need for a comprehensive government approach to address the issue effectively.

The agency called for a shift in perspective and a willingness to take decisive action against perpetrators to combat foreign interference effectively. Vigneault reiterated these points, emphasizing the importance of imposing costs and strengthening Canada’s defenses.

While the government has implemented measures to counter interference in elections, including foreign influence registries, it has faced criticism for its delayed response and resistance to conducting a public inquiry.

Recent testimony revealed that mechanisms to detect interference in past elections were in place but failed to alert the public, leading to concerns about the impact on electoral integrity.

What Was Briefed

Vigneault clarified that the October 2022 and February 2023 briefings were focused on specific foreign interference cases rather than electoral issues. However, a document mentioning intelligence on the People’s Republic of China (PRC) accompanied the October briefing, detailing clandestine support for certain candidates and mobilization efforts by Beijing.

The intelligence report raised concerns about donations from PRC officials to candidates, suggesting a potential influence on their actions if elected.

Testimony indicated that the specific details of the briefing, including the PRC’s involvement in supporting candidates, were not directly conveyed to the prime minister. The inquiry will further examine the discrepancies in the information provided to government officials.

11 Candidates

Vigneault mentioned that the February 2023 briefing focused on a report regarding alleged ties between politicians and foreign entities. The briefing highlighted individuals targeted by foreign actors during elections, emphasizing the need for vigilance and action against such threats.

Further intelligence summaries revealed the extent of PRC-related interference in Canadian politics, including financial support to candidates and political staff. The inquiry aims to evaluate the impact of foreign interference and the government’s response to safeguard electoral processes.

The inquiry, which has heard from various stakeholders over several weeks, will release an interim report to assess the gathered information before proceeding to examine the government’s handling of foreign interference threats. The final report is expected by the end of the year.