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23. Mai 2023 · David Johnston says foreign interference is a 'real and growing threat' and more needs to be done. But the former governor general says that while a 'public process' is required, a separate...
- Table of Contents
- I. Introduction and Executive Summary
- II. Mandate and Process
- III. What Is Foreign interference and Why Is Canada Vulnerable to It?
- IV. Intelligence and How It Moves Through Government
- VII. The Elections of 2019 and 2021
- VIII. Conclusions
Democracy is built on trust. Canada is blessed to have an electoral system run by professional, independent and non-partisan public servants, ensuring Canadians can have faith that when they mark their ballots, their votes will be counted. My mandate is not to investigate this system, which remains robust. Rather, it is to investigate whether forei...
1. Mandate
Since late 2022 there have been reports in the media, based on leaks of classified information, indicating that China and other countries have been engaging in foreign interference in Canada’s elections. These reports, and the discussions generated by them, have raised serious questions about the nature and extent of foreign electoral interference in Canada and the effects it may have had on Canada’s democracy, particularly during the 2019 and 2021 federal elections. Opposition parties and co...
2. Process
This section explains how I conducted the work I was asked to do to make my first report by May 23, 2023. After I accepted this engagement, I retained Sheila Block of Torys LLP to assist me in obtaining, reviewing, and analyzing the materials that I expected to receive, as well as assisting with interviews. The “ISR team” includes me, my executive assistant Kelly-Ann Benoit, as well as Ms. Block and the team she led at Torys.
1. What is foreign interference?
Before discussing how the government has handled the threat of foreign interference (or FI), it is helpful to define what activities constitute foreign interference. Foreign interference occurs when states, or entities acting on their behalf, engage in harmful activities. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act (CSIS Act) defines “threats to the security of Canada” as including “foreign influenced activities within or relating to Canada that are detrimental to the interests of Canada a...
2. Our free and democratic government makes us vulnerable to foreign interference
Canada is an open and free society. Our constitutional system of governance is premised on democracy, the rule of law, federalism and respect for minorities. These four principles were articulated by the Supreme Court of Canada in the 1998 Reference Re: Secession of Quebec.14 These foundational principles are the backbone of a system of governance which ensure that Canadians are free and self-governing. But they are also the very features that leave our institutions open to manipulation by fo...
1. Understanding – and misunderstanding – intelligence
The controversy that led to my appointment arose out of media reporting by Global News and The Globe and Mail over the past several months, based on classified information. Information collected by our intelligence agencies was shown or relayed to reporters, who in turn wrote their stories based on the classified intelligence. Much of what was reported was based on limited intelligence. I have had an opportunity to review a more comprehensive set of intelligence and conduct interviews with ex...
2. Sources and uses of intelligence in Canada
Most Canadians assume that Canada collects intelligence but know very little about how it is collected or under what legal authority. In essence, the two primary agencies are CSIS, created under the CSIS Act, and the CSE, created under the Communications Security Establishment Act.19 CSIS is run by the Director, Mr. Vigneault, who reports to the Minister of Public Safety. CSE is run by the Chief, Ms. Xavier, who reports to the Minister of National Defence, and focuses on signals intelligence...
3. The dissemination of intelligence within the government – a problem that needs attention
It is worthwhile to describe what I have observed about how information and intelligence is distributed and responded to within the government. CSIS and CSE write intelligence reports and intelligence analyses. As explained above, these reports are often addressed to departments, not individuals. These reports may say “PCO, GAC, PS, ND” on them, meaning they will go to the Privy Council Office, Global Affairs Canada, Department of Public Safety, and Department of National Defence. However, it...
In considering the sufficiency of the government’s response to foreign interference, a significant part of my mandate is to consider the elections of 2019 and 2021. I have addressed above the major allegations of specific incidents of foreign interference above. But it is important to report to Canadians how the CEIPPoperated in the elections of 20...
My mandate for my first report is to determine whether any further public process is required. My short answer is yes. I plan to hold a series of public hearings with Canadians (particularly from affected communities), government officials (including retired officials), knowledgeable experts, and other interested parties to discuss foreign interfer...
The Government of Canada announces its intent to appoint the Right Honourable David Johnson as the Independent Special Rapporteur on Foreign Interference, a new role as part of a suite of measures to help combat foreign interference and strengthen confidence in our federal electoral process and democratic institutions.
9. Juni 2023 · David Johnston resigning as special rapporteur on foreign interference. House of Commons passed a motion calling on Johnston to step down last week. Darren Major · CBC News · Posted: Jun...
26. Juni 2023 · Former governor general David Johnston has delivered his final report to the federal government and has officially left the role of special rapporteur on foreign interference. Johnston said...
26. Juni 2023 · David Johnston has filed his final — and confidential — report on foreign interference to the prime minister, ending his contentious term as special rapporteur. Johnston had announced his...
26. Juni 2023 · David Johnston has filed his final — and confidential — report on foreign interference to the prime minister, ending his controversial term as special rapporteur. Johnston had announced his...
