Canada provides update on recommendations to combat foreign interference 

Ottawa – The Government of Canada takes any attempt at foreign interference, including in Canada’s democratic institutions and processes, very seriously. That’s why the government continues to improve, strengthen, and protect our democracy from these threats.

Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, and Janice Charette, Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet, delivered a report to the Prime Minister entitled Countering an Evolving Threat: Update on Recommendations to Counter Foreign Interference in Canada’s Democratic Institutions.

The report highlights work completed to date, including through Canada’s 2019 Plan to Protect Democracy. The report includes further actions to respond to recommendations from the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) and assessments of the Critical Election Incident Public Protocol (the Protocol) to:

• enhance communications with Canadians about foreign interference and protecting democracy;
• strengthen institutions and supporting legislation to combat foreign interference;
• respond to newly emerging risks, vulnerabilities, and security issues; and
• deepen engagement with partners to enhance awareness and improve resiliency to foreign interference.

This builds on measures announced within the past month, including the establishment of a new National Counter-Foreign Interference Coordinator to enhance our proactive and coordinated approach on foreign interference and the launch of public consultations on a Foreign Influence Transparency Registry.

Specifically, the report outlines that, along with ministers and national security agencies, the new National Counter-Foreign Interference Coordinator will work to bolster public communications on foreign interference. New briefings will be offered to Members of Parliament, Senators and their staff, and the Coordinator will work on expanding briefing mechanisms outside the federal government. The plan also includes reviews of existing legislation, such as the CSIS Act, the Criminal Code, the Security of Information Act, and the Canada Elections Act. Improvements will be made to briefings for political parties during the next General Election and the government will be exploring further changes to the Critical Election Incident Public Protocol, as well as enhancements to the Security and Intelligence Threats to Elections (SITE) Task Force.

Threats to Canada’s democracy require a whole-of-society approach. That’s why the government will continue to work with its partners — academia, civil society, and provinces and territories — to ensure ongoing collaboration as we address these ever-changing challenges. The government remains committed to defending Canada’s democracy against interference and upholding Canadians’ confidence in our institutions.