Canada’s intelligence agency warns of foreign interference in April elections

Ottawa: Canada’s National Intelligence Agency has claimed that India and China may attempt to interfere in the country’s general elections on April 28.

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) also identified Russia and Pakistan as potential actors seeking to influence the electoral process. CSIS officials made the claims during a press conference on Monday.

The warning comes amid strained relations between Ottawa and both New Delhi and Beijing. A report released in January concluded that India and China attempted to interfere in Canada’s 2019 and 2021 elections, though the results were not affected.

The report also stated that Canada had been slow in addressing such threats. Both India and China have previously denied allegations of interference.

“China may try to interfere in Canada’s democratic process using AI-based tools,” said Vanessa Lloyd, deputy director of CSIS.

Tensions between Canada and China escalated further this month after Beijing imposed heavy tariffs on Canadian agricultural and food products in retaliation for Ottawa’s tariffs on Chinese electronic vehicles, steel, and aluminum. Canada also condemned China for executing four Canadians on drug trafficking charges.

Relations with India also remain tense. Last year, Canada expelled six Indian diplomats, including the head of the mission, accusing them of involvement in a conspiracy against Sikh separatists.

“We have also seen that the Government of India has the intention and ability to interfere in the Canadian community and democratic processes,” CSIS officials said. There was no immediate response from the Indian mission in Ottawa.