Canada’s Intelligence Agency Says ‘Foreign Interference Activity’ by Beijing On the Rise

A sign for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service building in Ottawa, in a file photo. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) said it’s seeing the continued growth of foreign interference activities from state actors like China, a statement that follows a string of recent reports about Beijing’s interference in Canadian society and democratic systems.

“CSIS continues to observe increasing foreign interference activity by state actors, including the People’s Republic of China (PRC),” said the federal intelligence agency in a Twitter post on March 6.

“Given the nature of today’s geopolitical environment, these activities will almost certainly intensify.”

In a following tweet, CSIS urged Canadians to remain vigilant against such threats and “learn how you can help protect Canada’s #NationalSecurity,” including a link to a report titled “Foreign Interference and You.”

“Canada’s fundamental institutions (e.g. academia, free press, democratic institutions), governance processes, and diverse Canadian communities are all active targets of foreign interference activities,” said the report.

While the report didn’t name any countries in particular, it says that malign foreign actors “target Canada for a variety of reasons,” and “all seek to exploit the openness of our society and penetrate our fundamental institutions to meet their objectives.”

“CSIS has observed and investigated multiple instances of foreign states targeting Canada and Canadian interests through the use of human intelligence operations, state-sponsored or foreign influenced media, and sophisticated cyber techniques,” said the report.

“Traditional interference through human intelligence operations remains the greatest danger, but interference through hostile cyber activity is a growing concern.”

Media reports in recent weeks have cited leaked CSIS documents showing how Beijing and its envoys in Canada carried out extensive efforts to influence Canada’s federal elections in 2019 and 2021, including mobilizing local associations and individuals to advocate on their behalf.

The Chinese regime’s interference also made headlines in recent months regarding the alleged operation of secret Chinese police service stations overseas—including three in the Greater Toronto Area and one in Vancouver, B.C. While the RCMP said operations in these locations have ceased, investigations remain ongoing.

Also raising concerns are reports of a Chinese surveillance balloon that was downed by the U.S. military after it trespassed through North American airspace in early February. Chinese spy buoys have also been identified and intercepted by the Canadian military in Arctic waters.

The Epoch Times reached out to CSIS for additional comment but didn’t hear back by publication time.