- Log in to post comments
At the end of January, the Federal Commission on Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions released its final report.
Commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue and her team were tasked with examining and assessing foreign interference and its impact on the integrity of the 2019 and 2021 general federal elections, the flow of information within the government, as well as the capacity of various government actors and processes to detect, deter and counter foreign interference in our democratic institutions, including electoral processes.
The initial report was released in May 2024, after which the federal government introduced Bill C-70, An Act respecting countering foreign interference. The Bill, which received Royal Assent June 20, 2024, criminalizes interference activities, enhances information-sharing capabilities, and establishes a Foreign Influence Transparency Registry.
In the final report, the Commissioner makes observations with respect to assessing foreign interference at the federal level and more generally, and proposes recommendations, some of which she believes can be actioned in advance of the next federal election.
Key takeaways of relevance to our members include:
Foreign interference is increasing, and the means and methods are changing. Foreign actors target institutions at every government level in Canada.
Information manipulation (whether foreign or not) poses the single biggest risk to our democracy. Disinformation is difficult to detect and, above all, to counter since the technological means available evolve at breakneck speed.
All governmental levels are important in responding to foreign interference. Federal government entities are making efforts to share information, but these governments require adequate infrastructure and capacity to process/store classified information.
A few organizations and think tanks expressed criticism of the report, saying that it does not go far enough, or questioned the recommendations. For example, in the final report the Commissioner noted that transnational repression, wherein foreign states try to control diaspora communities, is underway and needs to be taken seriously and addressed, but examining it was outside her mandate. Some thought the Commissioner should have explored this form of foreign interference and its impact regardless.
The report includes 51 recommendations to address foreign interference concerns, one of which may respond to our previous letters to federal ministers earlier this year. The Commissioner recommends inter-governmental cooperation and for the federal government to continue and intensify its efforts to engage and collaborate with provincial, territorial, Indigenous and municipal governments to counter foreign interference.
With many of our members involved in local election administration we will continue to monitor progress on recommendations and implications for municipal governments. We continue to advocate for federal and provincial solutions that address these trends in election administration such as foreign interference and mis/disinformation, as outlined in our Municipal Elections Act Modernization submission. Check out our MEA toolkit to explore ways to show your support to improve the municipal elections framework and ensure fair and free local elections.