Canada’s spy agency saw low-level Chinese meddling activities in 2019 election: Gould

By The Canadian Press on April 10, 2024.

OTTAWA – The former minister of democratic institutions says she was told after the October 2019 federal election that Canada’s spy agency had seen low-level foreign interference activities by China.

Karina Gould, who held the portfolio from early 2017 to November 2019, said in a classified interview last month that the activities were similar to what had been seen in the past and did not compromise the election.

A public summary of Gould’s interview was disclosed today at a federal inquiry into foreign meddling in Canada’s elections, where she is testifying in an open session.

The inquiry has already heard that China and other state actors attempted to interfere, but there has been little evidence so far to indicate whether they were successful.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has maintained that foreign interference had no meaningful impact on Canada’s free and fair elections, echoing what senior government officials have told Parliament.

Trudeau is slated to testify at the inquiry later today.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 10, 2024.

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