CSIS is ‘increasingly concerned’ about China’s interference in Canada

Complaints of foreign interference in Canada's elections also slightly increased in 2021, the committee heard on Tuesday — but officials noted the complaints are allegations.

Canada’s spy agency is growing “increasingly concerned” about China’s attempts to influence Canadian politics, a senior official told members of Parliament on Tuesday.

That’s because the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is “involved and interested in promoting their own national interests” in Canada, Michelle Tessier, the deputy director of operations for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) told the procedure and House affairs committee on Tuesday.

“They are an actor in foreign interference, and we have said that publicly … that we are concerned about the activities regarding threats against the security of Canada, including foreign interference by the Chinese Communist Party,” Tessier told MPs.

For example, the CSIS official said China and other countries — though Tessier did not specify which — have been trying to target elected officials at “all levels of government” in order to promote China’s national interests.

China also tries to encourage individuals to “speak or act” as “proxies on behalf of the Communist Party of China,” she added.

“So that remains of concern to us, in terms of their influence activities and how they try to manipulate some … individuals to work in their interests against Canada’s national interest,” Tessier said.

China tends to use “a number of techniques” to pursue this goal, Tessier added — including threatening Chinese communities here in Canada.

The CCP has been accused of establishing “police” stations around the world, including in Canada. The RCMP has confirmed it is investigating the allegation.