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Canada’s top intelligence agency has warned of growing threats of foreign interference in the country’s upcoming elections.
Some shit you should know before you read: If you’re unaware, Canada’s new Prime Minister has just called for a snap general election set for April 28, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown between Liberal leader Mark Carney and Conservative frontrunner Pierre Poilievre. Carney, who recently succeeded Justin Trudeau, is campaigning on a platform centered around national security, economic stability, and reinforcing Canada’s role as an independent global actor. Poilievre, meanwhile, is pushing affordability, cutting government spending, and rolling back Liberal climate policies. Polls have tightened significantly in recent weeks, partly fueled by President Donald Trump’s controversial call for Canada to become the “51st state,” which has stoked nationalist sentiment and mobilized voters on both sides of the political spectrum. Political analysts say this election could see the highest voter turnout in Canadian history.
What’s going on now: In an announcement, Canada’s top intelligence agency, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), warned of the growing risk related to foreign interference in the upcoming federal election. Deputy Director of Operations Vanessa Lloyd stated that “hostile state actors” are becoming more sophisticated, increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence to spread misinformation, manipulate public opinion, and erode trust in democratic institutions. According to CSIS, the countries most likely to attempt interference are China and India, with Russia and Pakistan also flagged as potential threats.
CSIS said that China is “highly likely” to use AI-enabled tools to target Canada’s electoral system, citing a pattern of past behavior and rising tensions between the two nations. Canadian officials believe China may be motivated to influence the outcome to secure a more favorable stance from the Canadian government on trade and international diplomacy, particularly as the two countries clash at the World Trade Organization.
India was also named by CSIS as having both the “intent and capability” to interfere in Canada’s democratic process. This warning comes amid an ongoing diplomatic rift following accusations from former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that Indian agents were involved in the assassination of a Sikh separatist on Canadian soil in 2023. That incident led to the expulsion of six Indian diplomats and brought bilateral relations to new lows.
