OTTAWA — The federal government is proposing fines of up to $1 million for individuals and organizations that fail to comply with the requirements of a planned foreign influence transparency registry.
Draft regulations published this week mark another step toward establishing the registry, which was created through legislation passed in 2024 as part of a broader package aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada.
According to the proposed rules, individuals and entities would be required to register when they enter into arrangements with foreign principals to influence Canadian political or government activities. The regulations define key terms and outline the information that must be disclosed.
The government says the registry is intended to address concerns that foreign states seeking to advance political objectives may secretly employ individuals or organizations in Canada to act on their behalf without disclosure.
Under the proposal, individuals, businesses, non-profit organizations and educational institutions could all be required to register. Information made public would include identifying details about the registrant, the foreign principal involved, and the nature and purpose of each arrangement, including the types of influence activities being carried out.
An independent commissioner — who has not yet been appointed — would oversee the registry. Enforcement tools would include compliance notices, administrative monetary penalties and, in the most serious cases, criminal sanctions.
“By requiring specific information that would be available in a public registry, the proposed regulations would provide Canadians with a clear and accessible tool to see who is engaging in foreign influence, the nature of their activities and any enforcement actions taken,” the federal government said in a notice accompanying the draft regulations. “This visibility would help reassure the public that influence activities are being monitored and addressed appropriately.”
The government estimates that about 1,767 registrants would file information each year, with roughly 54 new registrants annually.
The notice also states that Canada has lagged behind key allies — including the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia — in implementing dedicated legislation and regulations to address covert and non-transparent foreign influence.
“The proposed regulations would help close this gap by establishing a strong transparency framework aligned with the best international practices,” the notice said, adding that this would strengthen Canada’s credibility as a partner in protecting democratic institutions and global security.
Violations under the proposed regime would include failing to submit required information within 14 days of entering into an arrangement with a foreign principal, or knowingly providing false or misleading information to the commissioner.
Administrative monetary penalties would range from $50 to $1 million. In determining the amount, the commissioner would consider factors such as an individual or organization’s compliance history, whether the violation was intentional, their ability to pay, and the level of co-operation after a notice of violation is issued.
The regulations would also allow the commissioner to enter into compliance agreements, which could reduce or eliminate penalties if specific conditions are met within a set timeframe.
According to the government, Public Safety Canada consulted with a range of stakeholders while developing the regulations, including provincial and territorial governments, civil society groups, diaspora communities, public interest law firms, international partners and national security experts.
Members of the public have 30 days to provide feedback on the proposed regulations, which have been published in the Canada Gazette.