A public inquiry into foreign interference in Canadian elections has concluded that such meddling did not alter the overall outcomes of the last two federal elections, though it may have influenced the result in a single electoral district in 2021.
The inquiry, led by Commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue, released a preliminary report indicating that the extent of foreign interference in specific ridings was limited, but it highlighted the 2021 election in the Steveston—Richmond East riding in British Columbia as a significant concern. Here, there is a “reasonable possibility” that foreign efforts targeting Conservative candidate Kenny Chiu influenced the election results. Misleading portrayals in certain media outlets and social media platforms, believed to be connected to Beijing, depicted Chiu and then Conservative leader Erin O’Toole in a negative light, potentially swaying voter opinions among the Chinese Canadian community.
Additionally, the commission investigated allegations of interference in a 2019 Liberal nomination race in the Ontario Don Valley North riding. However, Commissioner Hogue stated that there was insufficient evidence to conclusively determine the effects of any foreign interventions in this instance.
This ongoing inquiry underscores the challenges and complexities associated with protecting the integrity of Canada’s electoral processes from external influences. The findings from the preliminary report are still under consideration, with further investigations likely to continue as the commission seeks to fully understand the impact and scope of such interferences.