Fighting Foreign Interference

Secure Canada is advocating for stronger laws and policies to protect Canadians and diaspora communities from foreign authoritarian regimes that seek to silence, intimidate, and control them.

Foreign interference and transnational repression— harassment, intimidation, or attempt to control diaspora communities in Canada—is becoming increasingly pervasive.

Foreign regimes, including China, Russia, and Iran are using covert tactics to manipulate elections, harass dissidents, threaten journalists, infiltrate institutions, disrupt democratic processes, and undermine national security.

The absence of mitigating measures in Canada must be addressed. Secure Canada and Human Rights Action Group have produced a fulsome report with recommendations to protect Canadian sovereignty and vulnerable communities.

Human Rights Action Group was a party to the Hogue Inquiry on Foreign Interference, both in the fact finding and the policy recommendations stages. Secure Canada appeared on a panel focused on foreign interference, alongside former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott and MP Michael Chong at the Canada Strong and Free Conference.

Our Report on Transnational Repression

Why This Matters

Canadians Are Being Harassed and Threatened on Canadian Soil

China, Iran, and Russia have targeted journalists, activists, and dissidents living in Canada, using threats, coercion, intimidation, and attempted assassinations.
China has illegally operated police stations in Canada to pressure and control the Chinese diaspora.
Iranian regime operatives target critics of the regime, using physical and digital threats.
Activists, journalists, and politicians have been doxxed and cyberstalked by state-backed actors
Academic institutions have been pressured to censor discussions on Tibet, Hong Kong, and the Uyghur genocide.

Foreign Regimes Are Interfering in Our Politics and Shaping Public Opinion

China has secretly worked to influence Canadian elections by manipulating nomination processes and funding certain candidates.
Foreign agents have infiltrated Canadian government agencies, universities, and businesses to shape policy in their favor.
Foreign intelligence services have launched cyberattacks on Canadian businesses and government agencies to steal data and manipulate public opinion.
State-backed hackers from China and Russia spread disinformation on Canadian social media to undermine trust in institutions.

Secure Canada's Policy Recommendations

To safeguard Canadian sovereignty and protect vulnerable communities, we propose 37 key policy changes, including:

1. Strengthening Government Response

Create a dedicated agency to coordinate responses to transnational repression.
Appoint a Foreign Influence Commissioner to investigate foreign interference.
Establish a public reporting hotline to help victims report incidents of foreign influence.
Legally define "transnational repression" and "foreign interference" to enable stronger enforcement.

2. Closing Legal Loopholes

Update Canada’s national security laws to reflect modern threats, including digital interference.
Expand the Lobbying Act to require foreign state-affiliated individuals—including unpaid operatives—to register.
Strengthen the Canada Elections Act to prevent foreign actors from manipulating Canadian elections.

3. Holding Perpetrators Accountable

Create a civil cause of action for transnational repression so victims can seek justice.
Criminalize "refugee espionage" to prevent foreign regimes from monitoring and controlling their diaspora in Canada.
Enforce bans and deportations for individuals engaged in transnational repression.
Implement a Foreign Agents Registry to track individuals acting on behalf of foreign states.

4. Protecting Victims

Provide security services for targeted individuals to prevent intimidation and threats.
Offer psychological and trauma support for victims of transnational repression.
Create a victims’ support fund to assist with legal aid, housing, and cybersecurity measures.
Develop education programs to inform vulnerable communities about their rights and safety.

5. Strengthening Canada’s Global Leadership

Lead global efforts to combat transnational repression by advocating for a UN Special Rapporteur on Transnational Repression.
Push for an international treaty on combatting foreign interference.
Enhance intelligence sharing with allies to track foreign threats and prevent infiltration.

6. Stopping Foreign Influence in Canada

Shut down illegal foreign police stations operating in Canada.
Monitor and track cases of transnational repression to build comprehensive watchlists.
Enforce targeted sanctions on foreign officials and companies complicit in repression.
Terminate Canada’s legal assistance treaty with China and review cooperation with other authoritarian states.
Ban and sanction surveillance companies that help foreign regimes track and harass Canadians