Canada’s intelligence agency, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), recently declassified a report revealing attempts by the governments of India and Pakistan to interfere in Canada’s federal elections in both 2021 and 2019.
In the 2021 elections, CSIS’s findings suggest that India engaged in covert operations, which included the deployment of a government proxy agent. This agent was allegedly involved in providing illegal financial support to candidates favorable to India’s interests. These activities targeted electoral districts with significant numbers of Indo-Canadian voters, particularly those perceived to have voters sympathetic to the Khalistani movement or holding pro-Pakistan political stances. There was a possible provision of undisclosed financial support to pro-Indian candidates, potentially conducted without the candidates’ knowledge.
During the 2019 elections, CSIS outlined limited foreign interference from Pakistani government officials. The alleged interference included attempts to clandestinely influence and support Canadian politicians of Pakistani descent in an effort to further Pakistani interests in Canada. In response, the Canadian government implemented measures, documented in the CSIS report, to mitigate the threat posed by these activities.
Canada currently has an ongoing public inquiry into foreign interference led by Marie-Josée Hogue, with a primary focus on assessing involvement from China, Russia, and other foreign entities. This inquiry is a direct response to public debate and concerns about the adequacy of Canada’s reaction to such interference, further provoked by allegations regarding Indian involvement in the assassination of a Sikh leader in Canada.
For more details, refer to the full report on the JURIST website.