Everything You Should Know About Canada’s Investigation into Suspected Chinese Interference in Elections

Canadian authorities are conducting investigations into allegations of Chinese interference in Canada’s last two elections, which Beijing denies. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has appointed David Johnston, a veteran former official, as a special rapporteur to investigate the alleged election interference by China. The independent special investigator will have the power to make recommendations on foreign interference, including a public inquiry. Trudeau has also asked the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians to start a probe and report its findings to parliament. Additionally, the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency has been asked to conduct a review of how Canada’s national security agencies handled the threat of foreign interference in Canada’s elections, particularly around the flow of information from national security agencies to decision-makers. Police are investigating media reports that cited secret intelligence alleging Chinese interference in Canada’s elections for potential violations of information security laws. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service and other domestic security partners are also investigating the sources of the media leaks.