Canada’s Inquiry on Foreign Interference: Key Findings and Recommendations
Hogue inquiry finds some parliamentarians’ conduct troubling, but not treasonous.
The Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Canada’s federal elections has released its Final Report after 15 months of investigation.
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The inquiry had two phases:
The first phase examined foreign interference in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections by both state and non-state actors. A preliminary report was released in May 2024.
The second phase assessed how well the government can detect, prevent, and respond to foreign interference.
Over 39 days of public hearings and 18 days of private hearings, the Commission heard from more than 100 witnesses, including political leaders, government officials, and experts. They also held consultations with diaspora communities and reviewed tens of thousands of government documents, most of them classified.
Commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue stated that the inquiry provided a clearer understanding of foreign interference in Canada and how the government responds to it. She noted both successes and failures in the government’s approach and highlighted areas for improvement.
Key findings from the report include:
Foreign interference is increasing and evolving.
The Canadian government has taken steps to counter it but has been slow to act and lacked coordination.
Communication between decision-makers, including elected officials, has sometimes been flawed.
The government has not been transparent enough about the extent of foreign interference and its countermeasures.
Despite these challenges, Canada’s democratic institutions remain strong. However, vigilance is crucial, as threats continue to grow.
The report includes 51 recommendations, some of which do not require new laws and could be implemented before the next federal election.
The Commission has asked the government to report on its progress within one year.
Source: foreigninterferencecommission.ca
Bill C-70: Canada’s Law to Tackle Foreign Influence
Canada has taken significant steps to protect its sovereignty and national security with the passage of Bill C-70, which has already received Royal Assent. This new law mandates that individuals and organizations engaged in influence activities on behalf of foreign governments must register as