RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme waits to appear before the House of Commons Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics committee, Tuesday, February 27, 2024 in Ottawa. Duheme says proposed federal legislation would equip the national police force with some "good tools" to address foreign interference. THE CANADIAN PRESS
In Ottawa, Justice Minister Arif Virani addressed concerns on Tuesday regarding a new sabotage offense proposed in a bill aimed at countering foreign interference. The provision targets actions directed at critical infrastructure like transportation and communication systems, as well as health and food services support networks.
Virani sought to clarify that the intention behind the provision isn't to suppress legitimate advocacy or dissent but to modernize laws to deal with individuals who endanger public safety by targeting infrastructure. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that protests remain lawful and within bounds, stating that intent to cause harm distinguishes legitimate protest from sabotage.
The bill, introduced on Monday, encompasses various measures to combat foreign meddling, including criminalizing deceptive acts, facilitating information sharing, and establishing a registry for foreign influence transparency. However, Wesley Wark, a senior fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation, criticized the approach as incremental rather than comprehensive, suggesting it may lack ambition.
According to the latest report from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), major perpetrators of foreign interference and espionage include China, Russia, Iran, and India, continuing their activities in 2023.
RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme welcomed the proposed legislation, noting that it would provide valuable tools for addressing foreign interference. He particularly praised measures such as stiffer penalties and the influence registry, which would require individuals acting on behalf of foreign states to register with the Canadian government. Duheme also highlighted the importance of broader information sharing by CSIS to help various sectors guard against foreign meddling.
The Business Council of Canada supported the idea of CSIS sharing specific threat information with companies, seeing it as beneficial for enhancing awareness. However, civil society organizations expressed concerns about the potential prioritization of commercial interests and the need for clear policies on information sharing.
Under the bill, individuals and entities involved with foreign countries would be required to register their arrangements and disclose any involvement in influencing political processes in Canada. However, Wark questioned the bill's blanket approach, suggesting it might burden individuals from allied countries unnecessarily and create excessive bureaucratic processes for the government.
Overall, while the proposed legislation aims to bolster Canada's defenses against foreign interference, questions remain about its scope and potential impacts on civil liberties and international relations.
