Chapter 2: The Government Response to Foreign Interference — Recommendations
National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians Annual Report 2019
Recommendations
297. The Committee makes the following recommendations:
R5.
The Government of Canada develop a comprehensive strategy to counter foreign interference and build institutional and public resiliency. Drawing from the Committee's review and findings, such a strategy should:
- identify the short- and long-term risks and harms to Canadian institutions and rights and freedoms posed by the threat of foreign interference;
- examine and address the full range of institutional vulnerabilities targeted by hostile foreign states, including areas expressly omitted in the Committee's review;
- assess the adequacy of existing legislation that deals with foreign interference, such as the Security of Information Act or the Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act, and make proposals for changes if required;
- develop practical, whole-of-government operational and policy mechanisms to identify and respond to the activities of hostile states;
- establish regular mechanisms to work with sub-national levels o f government and law enforcement organizations, including to provide necessary security clearances;
- include an approach for ministers and senior officials to engage with fundamental institutions and the public; and
- guide cooperation with allies on foreign interference.
R6.
The Government of Canada support this comprehensive strategy through sustained central leadership and coordination. As an example of a centralized coordinating entity to address foreign interference, the Committee refers to the appointment and mandate of the Australian National Counter Foreign Interference Coordinator.
298. The Committee reiterates its recommendation from its Special report into the allegations associated with Prime Minister Trudeau's official visit to India in February 2018:
In the interest of national security, members of the House of Commons and Senate should be briefed upon being sworn-in and regularly thereafter on the risks of foreign interference and extremism in Canada. I n addition, Cabinet Ministers should be reminded of the expectations described in the Government's Open and Accountable Government, including that Ministers exercise discretion with whom they meet or associate, and clearly distinguish between official and private media messaging, and be reminded that, consistent with the Conflict of Interest Act, public office holders must always place the public interest before private interests.