(Ottawa) Two former diplomats from Canada who served in China believe that Ottawa somehow allows foreign interference on Canadian soil, since it does not keep a register of people who act on behalf of others country.
The Liberals promised that they would eventually look into the establishment of a register of foreign agents by launching consultations on this subject. Public Security Minister Marco Mendicino, however, warned on Monday that the issue will first need to be carefully studied, since the creation of such a register could stigmatize communities that have felt targeted by security agencies in the pass.
Such a registry would force anyone doing work paid by another country to officially disclose it, or face jail or fines for non-compliance.
According to former Canadian Ambassador to China David Mulroney, the biggest problem is foreign agents threatening people on Canadian soil about the safety of their families in their home country and interfering in Canadian politics.
Testifying before a House of Commons committee, Mulroney claimed that Canada is allowing Chinese interference by not setting up a registry and not taking the issue seriously.
Charles Burton, another former diplomat who was stationed in China, added that the register should be aimed at the general problem of interference, rather than the interference of a single country.