Chapter 2: The Government Response to Foreign Interference — Conclusion
National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians Annual Report 2019
Conclusion
293. Foreign interference represents a significant threat to Canada's society and fundamental institutions. However, until the last several years it has mainly been considered the responsibility of security and intelligence organizations. Two states have done much to bring the threat into sharper relief: the Russian Federation, through its cyber efforts to undermine the U.S. presidential election and other democratic processes around the globe; and the PRC, through its broad-based strategy to covertly advance its interests in a number of countries, most publicly Australia and New Zealand. The Government of Canada is starting to address this issue, albeit under the broader ambit of ‘hostile state activities.’
294. There is work to be done. This review shows that, for years, CSIS has investigated and reported on the threat posed by foreign interference by a number of states. It has assessed that Canada is an “attractive and permissive target.” Footnote 258 The government's new focus is in its earliest stages and has yet to markedly change this environment. Engagement of sub-national levels of government remains cursory or limited by institutional challenges. Public engagement is almost non-existent, save for recent efforts by the Director of CSIS. Organizations within the security and intelligence community differ on how they define the problem and how they understand its gravity and prevalence. Reactions to foreign interference remain ad hoc and case-specific, rarely putting them in their broader context. The response is typically led by single organizations and the tools to counter are most often diplomatic. Understandably, this tends to result in foreign policy considerations being given greater weight than longer-term domestic risks, which are often harder to articulate as concrete harms. No organization represents the longer-term interests of Canadian sovereignty and fundamental values.
295. The government must do better. Canada's long-term security depends on the integrity of its sovereignty in decision-making, strong and independent fundamental institutions, and the protection of the rights and freedoms of Canadians. The government's approach must be based on a refined calculation of our collective interests and, most importantly, a continued emphasis on Canada's liberal democratic values. In that context, the Committee agrees with the following sentiment:
Democratic values cannot be taken for granted. We must not become complacent in thinking that our own long-standing democracies are not susceptible to foreign interference. The openness of our societies is what make us vulnerable, but is a core component of democracy that contributes to our resilience and cannot be compromised. Footnote 259
The threat is real, if often hidden. If it is not addressed in a comprehensive, whole-of-government approach, foreign interference will slowly erode the foundations of our fundamental institutions, including our system of democracy itself. The Committee expects that its review and recommendations will highlight important areas within which to work.