Is Canadian paranoia hurting relations with China and India?

In the recent media frenzy, Canada has been portrayed as the victim of foreign countries trampling on its sovereignty
It is not clear whether the Trudeau government is fully in control of its national security apparatus or is a hostage to hardliners within it

Richard Desjardins

Published: 9:30am, 11 Oct, 2023

Why you can trust SCMP

Allegations of foreign interference in Canada’s internal affairs have roiled the country for nearly a year now. Late last year, the Canadian media reported intelligence allegations of Chinese attempts to influence recent federal elections. Then, early this year, related intelligence reports were leaked to the media, reigniting the accusations.

More recently, the Canadian government itself has been making allegations – that the Indian government may have played a role in the assassination in Canada of a Canadian citizen of Sikh origin.

The Trudeau government has said it will further investigate the matter and has warned of consequences in international law. It appears that, in both instances, Canadian intelligence has been at the forefront of the discovery of foreign interference. In the case of the killing, Canadian officials are reported to have gathered communications of Indian diplomats in Canada. But Canadian officials have declined to release the specifics of the intelligence gathered.

In the media frenzy over these cases, Canada has been portrayed as the victim of foreign countries trampling on its sovereignty. But, as the recent uproar over the Canadian parliament honouring a veteran of a Nazi SS unit reveals, Canada is perfectly capable of shooting itself in the foot.

Furthermore, when allegations were made in the Canadian media about Chinese election interference, the Chinese reaction was given virtually no coverage, but it should have drawn more attention.

On its website in March, the Chinese embassy in Ottawa mentioned Canada’s own interference in China’s domestic affairs and went as far as to say: “It must be pointed out that only those well-versed in spying can fabricate the outrageous lies as reported in the media.”

We have known for some time that Western countries are actively looking at how to undermine regimes they deem hostile. Scenarios are openly examined by Western think tanks, like Rand Corporation has done with regard to Russia.

04:08

India suspends visa services for Canadians amid growing row over Sikh leader killing

In a little-noted book published in late 2021 by an American university press, a former British diplomat even advocated action to assist those within China who seek radical change. To what extent this former officer was vocalising plans already drafted is unknown.

Reacting to the allegations of interference, the Chinese embassy specifically said in March that Canada was one of the Western countries involved in “condoning and supporting anti-China separatist activities, and undermining China’s security and stability overtly and covertly”.

It is not clear whether the Trudeau government is fully in control of its national security (intelligence and defence) apparatus or whether it has given it ample latitude to carry out operations. The Canadian media reported early this year that the Canadian military was involved in a secret programme seeking to identify and target critics.

Across the political spectrum, Beijing has already lost Canada

After the Chinese government detained two Canadians for endangering China’s national security in 2018, the Canadian government said Beijing was not respecting diplomatic immunity in one of the cases.

When a Canadian surveillance plane that was monitoring North Korea’s compliance with United Nations sanctions crossed paths with Chinese jets in 2022, Canada did not directly answer a Chinese suggestion that the Canadian surveillance operation had illegally crossed into Chinese airspace. It is not clear that anyone took responsibility for overstepping their authority during the operation.

These incidents are starting to look like a disturbing pattern that could raise suspicions that Canada is involved in something more nefarious than its image abroad would suggest. Wouldn’t these actions constitute foreign interference in China’s affairs?

02:04

Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau alleges China interfered in 2019 and 2021 elections

In November 2022, a media storm raged in Canada after Chinese President Xi Jinping admonished Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for revealing to the media details of their conversation on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia; that conversation had been followed by reports that Trudeau had spoken to Xi about the allegations of Chinese interference in Canadian federal elections.

No trace of the readout from that meeting can be found on the prime minister’s website. My request for a copy of the readout has gone unanswered. One can’t help but get the impression the Trudeau government is playing a two-faced game, which could lead to mistrust in Canada’s relations with countries like China and India.

The worsening diplomatic climate between Ottawa and Beijing is already affecting some members of the Chinese-Canadian community, as well as organisations that assist Chinese arrivals in integrating themselves into their new home.

Following the allegations of Chinese interference in Canadian elections, members of provincial assemblies as well as the federal parliament are now under suspicion of being disloyal to Canada; a recently elected mayor is suspected of having won with Chinese support. A group that helps Chinese immigrants set up in Montreal has had its funding cut. No convincing evidence has been provided that the aims outlined in the leaked intelligence reports were achieved.

The recently launched public inquiry into allegations of Chinese interference in Canadian politics will fail to address the root cause if it does not encompass a thorough examination of Canada’s intelligence community.

Currently, the Trudeau government appears indecisive and a hostage to hardliners within the national security bureaucracy who are pushing for the containment of regimes it opposes, including China’s. A sound and balanced Canadian foreign policy cannot survive in these circumstances.

Richard Desjardins retired in 2020 after a 29-year career as a Canadian public servant. He obtained a BA (1983) and MA in political science (1991) and studied Chinese in Taiwan (1985-1988)