China’s influence on Canada is shifting from influencing political and economic elites to a more concerning form of ”state capture,” according to a former diplomat who served at Canada’s embassy in China. The diplomat, Sam Burton, stated that the current state of Canada-China relations is not only influenced by comprehensive elite capture but is also gradually moving towards full state capture. This poses a threat to the integrity of democratic institutions and undermines the values that define Canada as a great nation.
Burton emphasized the need for Canadians to educate themselves about the United Front Work Department and take China’s threat more seriously. He called for an end to tolerating the self-interest and willful blindness of political and economic elites, urging instead for renewed Canadian patriotic awareness.
In an updated edition of his book released in 2022, author Charles Cooper examined intelligence on the United Front’s election interference networks. He specifically delved into a disinformation campaign on WeChat, a Chinese platform, targeting former Conservative MP Kenny Chiu during the 2021 election due to his criticism of Beijing’s human rights record and advocacy for a foreign interference registry.
Cooper expressed extreme concern about the Chinese Communist Party’s increasing aggressiveness in its influence tactics. He revealed that these networks could potentially endanger or even threaten with death dissidents who speak out against China.
In response to media reports about Beijing’s secret operations, Ottawa initiated the Foreign Interference Inquiry to investigate Chinese interference in Canada’s elections. Commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue acknowledged this influence in her interim report published in May.
To enhance resilience against foreign interference, Parliament passed Bill C-70 into law before its summer break. The bill establishes a foreign influence transparency registry and imposes stricter penalties for foreign meddling.
However, there are doubts about its effectiveness. Cooper questioned whether other RCMP units across Canada were taking similar outreach measures as those implemented by their counterparts in Montreal within the Chinese community.
Independent MP Kevin Vuong commended efforts made by allies against CCP interference, particularly highlighting recent arrests related to spying allegations involving Linda Sun and her husband Chris Hu—accused of working for Beijing and undermining U.S democratic processes.
Vuong believes that Canadians have become more aware of China’s extensive interference activities; thus ending what he refers to as CCP’s golden era of interfering with Canada.
