The federal government is preparing to consult the public on the possible creation of a register of foreign agents in order to prevent outside interference in Canadian affairs, said Public Security Minister Marco Mendicino.
The Liberals want to hear from experts and the general public — including members of affected communities — about whether they should follow the lead of key allies, including the United States and Australia, in establishing a registry.
The Government recognizes that foreign governments and organizations routinely attempt to influence Canadian policies, officials and democratic processes in clearly visible and legal ways, such as through diplomatic channels.
Some states, on the other hand, engage in interference to advance foreign political goals. As part of those efforts, they could employ people to act on their behalf without disclosing their ties to the foreign state, Public Safety Canada said.
Requiring these people to officially register with the government they are trying to influence can make these transactions more transparent, with the possibility of fines or even jail time for non-compliance.
“The fact is, the landscape of foreign interference is becoming increasingly complex,” Mendicino said in an interview.
Mendicino’s role at the cabinet includes supporting an integrated government response to protect Canada’s democratic institutions, including the federal electoral process, from foreign interference and misinformation.
“One of the proposals we are looking at very carefully is the creation of a register of foreign agents,” he said.
“We hope to have more to say on this in the very short term. But we are very much looking forward to getting out there and having a good consultation.”
Although no date has been set, a public consultation should begin in the coming weeks.
The UK recently introduced legislation to create the Foreign Influence Registration Regime as a means of compelling those acting for a foreign power or entity to report political influence activity or face criminal penalties.
Australia passed its Foreign Influence Transparency Regime Act four years ago, while the US Foreign Agents Registry Act has been in place since 1938.
Security agencies and officials warn of foreign interference
Mendicino said the idea of a foreign agent registry requires “thorough and thoughtful study” to see how it could fit into a broader strategy that ensures police and national security agencies have the necessary tools. to combat foreign interference, cyberattacks and other hostile, ideologically motivated activities. extremism which can proliferate through the dissemination of misinformation.
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service warned last year that it was seeing continued, and in some cases increasing, foreign interference by state actors against Canada.
Federal officials have long warned that Canada is being targeted by foreign states like China and Russia as they seek to advance their political, economic and security interests.
In a November 28 letter to the House of Commons Procedure and Affairs CommitteeRCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki said the RCMP is aware of interference by foreign actors in a wide range of activities, including interference in democratic processes.
Lucki said the RCMP are conducting ongoing investigations into these activities, but did not provide details as the investigations are still ongoing.
Mendicino said that as the government puts forward a Canadian strategy to combat foreign interference, it is equally important that Ottawa cooperates with allies around the world by sharing information and intelligence and collaborating on the best practice.
This would help protect Canadian interests and “maintain the rules-based international order”, he said.
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