Trudeau: Foreign influence registry shouldn’t target diasporas, caution urged

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has urged caution as the country considers the adoption of a foreign agent registry to track foreign influence efforts. During a news conference in the Ottawa suburb of Kanata, Trudeau cited the internment of Japanese- and Italian-Canadians during World War II and warned that Canada must learn from difficult historical experiences when it comes to creating such registries. He emphasized the need for balance to ensure that any new measures are not too broad and do not target specific diaspora groups, such as Chinese-Canadians or others whose governments are at odds with Canada.

The issue of foreign interference has come under debate amid media reports that allege China tried to interfere in the last two federal elections, as well as the recent municipal election in Vancouver. Trudeau said that Chinese-Canadians are often the “first targets” of interference efforts by Beijing and that any measure adopted by Canada must ensure that vulnerable diaspora communities are not unduly hurt or affected.

Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino announced last month that the Liberal government was beginning consultations on setting up a registry as part of its response to allegations of Chinese interference in recent Canadian elections. The registry would require people who act on behalf of a foreign state to disclose their ties to the government employing them. It would be another tool, Mendicino said, to prevent other countries from meddling in Canada’s affairs. The consultations run until May 9, including through a virtual portal on the Department of Public Safety’s website.

Trudeau would not say whether the registry could be in place before the next federal election. The timing of that vote depends in part on the minority government’s supply and confidence agreement with the federal New Democrats.