Opposition parties are urging Prime Minister Mark Carney’s administration to swiftly enforce key provisions of a law passed last year to combat foreign interference, in light of recent disclosures revealing escalating attacks on Chinese dissidents in Canada and globally.
Michael Chong, the Conservative spokesperson on foreign affairs, labeled the Chinese government’s audacious assaults as a menace to Canadian democracy. Chong emphasized the urgent need for action, citing numerous reports and inquiries that have exposed transnational repression and foreign meddling.
The call for action follows an investigative report by CBC News and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) uncovering a surge in Chinese government attacks on dissidents residing in Canada and abroad.
The assaults on dissidents involve tactics such as interrogating family members in China, surveillance, threatening phone calls, online harassment, and the dissemination of fake explicit images online. Dissidents are often targeted for voicing dissenting views on sensitive topics such as democracy in Hong Kong, treatment of Uyghurs, Tibetan autonomy, the Falun Gong, and Taiwanese independence.
Despite the concerning trend, the Chinese embassy has not responded to inquiries from CBC News. Experts on China warn that these attacks undermine democracy and national security in Canada.
In June last year, Parliament passed Bill C-70 to counter foreign influence in elections and transnational repression of dissidents in Canada. The bill mandated the creation of a foreign agent registry and a foreign influence commissioner’s office, yet nearly a year later, these measures remain unimplemented.
NDP MP Jenny Kwan and Bloc Québécois MP Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe have joined the chorus, pressing the government to prioritize addressing foreign interference and transnational repression. Kwan criticized the lack of government action in response to threats faced by individuals targeted by China. Brunelle-Duceppe emphasized the need to amend the Criminal Code to encompass transnational repression.
While Public Safety Department is progressing with drafting regulations to enact Bill C-70, there is a notable absence of updates from the government regarding the establishment of the registry and the commissioner’s office. Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree’s office has not yet responded to CBC News’ interview request.
The delay in implementing Bill C-70 has raised concerns among opposition parties, with Chong highlighting the absence of mention in the government’s agenda, updates on the registry setup, and communication on safeguarding Canadians from security threats.