The debate over foreign interference in the last federal election was fueled this week by the tabling of a report117 months after the 2021 election.
However, this report leaves us wanting more. It doesn’t seem to get to the point. And on closer inspection, it makes sense.
It is that the mandate of the report relates only to the Public Protocol in the Event of a Major Electoral Incident. The objective of this Protocol? Inform the public in the event of a major electoral incident that could threaten the holding of free and fair elections in the country.
In short, the report covers a limited subject, namely the operation of the Protocol, which itself has a limited scope: information to the public – if deemed necessary.
Yet, several tools are needed to actively fight against interference. The report makes a brief reference to it.
The question Canadians are asking today is not only: what information did the government have? It is above all: what has the government done to fight against foreign interference? And what will he do in the future?
So, once informed of the facts reported by the intelligence agencies, did the government and the authorities concerned take action? Have both the foreign governments and the individuals involved been confronted? Have we deployed useful means in real time to neutralize their actions?
These fundamental questions go beyond the report that was submitted this week. And that’s why an independent investigation needs to cover a wider range of topics:
- What were the activities of foreign interference?
- What information did the government and its various agencies have, and when?
- And above all, what actions have the government and all the relevant actors taken to counter this interference in practice?
We cannot remain passive about what happened in the 2019 and 2021 elections. Otherwise, there is impunity and an encouragement to continue.
Therefore, it is necessary:
- Sanction unacceptable and possibly illegal acts committed by foreign governments, possibly by expelling diplomats despite the risk of reprisals;
- Sanctioning individuals who were allegedly involved, for example by initiating criminal proceedings against those who allegedly committed election financing offences;
- And finally, review certain practices. For example, can political parties allow non-Canadian citizens to attend and vote at candidate nomination meetings?
We must also prepare for the future. We will be told that there is already a plan to protect Canadian democracy. In light of what we learn, it is far from obvious that it is adequate and used wisely. You have to have the necessary tools. Above all, our political leaders must have the courage to take the necessary decisions and actions at the right time.
So, are we going to establish a register of foreign agents? Will suspicious diplomatic missions be summoned during the next elections? Are we going to acquire additional tools to prevent unacceptable practices and sanction them?
Far from us the idea that all this is simple. Arbitration and safeguards are necessary. While we wish to strengthen our democracy, we do not want to fall into paranoia, muzzle freedom of expression, fuel stereotypes, or entrust an undue role to intelligence agencies and police forces.
But the time for quiet complacency is over. It’s time to act.