:Chinese government interference in Canada

{{Further|Project Sidewinder|2011 Canadian government hackings}}

The Canadian government has been tracking Chinese government efforts to influence Canada since at least 1986.{{Cite news |last=Bronskill |first=Jim |date=2023-07-22 |title=Canadian intelligence flagged Chinese meddling 37 years ago, document shows |language=en-CA |work=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-canadian-intelligence-flagged-chinese-meddling-37-years-ago-document/ |access-date=2023-07-24 |archive-date=2023-07-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723145916/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-canadian-intelligence-flagged-chinese-meddling-37-years-ago-document/ |url-status=live }} These overseas influence operations have allegedly risen to the extent that they represent an alarming security threat to the United States, who conducted a secret probe into the issue in the 1990s, according to former Canadian and US intelligence officials.{{cite news |last=Panetta |first=Alexander |date=18 March 2023 |title=U.S. ran secret probe into China's operations in Canada, new book alleges |work=CBC News |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/us-dragon-lord-probe-book-1.6783063 |access-date=24 March 2023 |archive-date=24 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324121559/https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/us-dragon-lord-probe-book-1.6783063 |url-status=live }} A teaching manual of the United Front Work Department of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party mentioned approvingly having its preferred candidates elected in Toronto in 2003 and 2006.{{Cite news |last1=Hornby |first1=Lucy |last2=Kynge |first2=James |last3=Anderlini |first3=Jamil |date=2017-10-26 |title=Inside China's secret 'magic weapon' for worldwide influence |url=https://www.ft.com/content/fb2b3934-b004-11e7-beba-5521c713abf4 |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223235450/https://www.ft.com/content/fb2b3934-b004-11e7-beba-5521c713abf4 |archive-date=December 23, 2017 |access-date=2024-06-20 |work=Financial Times}}

{{main|Trudeau cash-for-access scandal}}

In 2016, newspaper sources reported that Justin Trudeau had been attending cash-for-access events at the homes of wealthy Chinese Canadians in Toronto and Vancouver, generating a political scandal.{{cite news |last1=Fife |first1=Robert |last2=Chase |first2=Steven |date=2 December 2016 |title=Influential Chinese-Canadians paying to attend private fundraisers with Trudeau |language=en-CA |work=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/influential-chinese-canadians-paying-to-attend-private-fundraisers-with-trudeau/article33131597/ |access-date=23 March 2023 |archive-date=23 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323043924/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/influential-chinese-canadians-paying-to-attend-private-fundraisers-with-trudeau/article33131597/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Kassam |first1=Ashifa |date=15 December 2016 |title=Trudeau to be questioned by ethics watchdog over reports of cash for access |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/15/justin-trudeau-to-be-questioned-political-fundraisers-ethics |access-date=23 March 2023 |archive-date=23 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323045734/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/15/justin-trudeau-to-be-questioned-political-fundraisers-ethics |url-status=live }}{{cite news |date=23 November 2016 |title=Trudeau government faces 'cash-for-access' criticism |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38083733 |access-date=23 March 2023 |archive-date=23 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323054112/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38083733 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Fife |first1=Robert |last2=Chase |first2=Steven |date=13 December 2016 |title=Justin Trudeau says he uses cash-for-access fundraisers to champion the middle class |language=en-CA |work=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/justin-trudeau-says-he-uses-cash-for-access-fundraisers-to-champion-the-middle-class/article33318061/ |access-date=23 March 2023 |archive-date=23 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323054133/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/justin-trudeau-says-he-uses-cash-for-access-fundraisers-to-champion-the-middle-class/article33318061/ |url-status=live }} Attendees at these events, including those with connections to the CCP, would pay up to $1,525 per ticket to meet Trudeau. In response, the Liberal Party indicated that all party fundraising complied with Elections Canada rules and regulations.{{cite news |last=Zimonjic |first=Peter |date=November 22, 2016 |title=Trudeau defends fundraiser with Chinese businessman who later donated $200,000 to father's foundation |work=CBC News |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/chinese-fundraiser-trudeau-statue-1.3863266 |access-date=23 March 2023 |archive-date=15 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315030704/https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/chinese-fundraiser-trudeau-statue-1.3863266 |url-status=live }}

{{see also|Chinese police overseas service stations|Operation Fox Hunt}}

While there is no official Chinese police presence on Canadian soil, several reports and allegations have surfaced regarding the presence of clandestine Chinese police stations in Canada. Among these are claims that Chinese law enforcement officials have been conducting unofficial operations within Canadian borders, targeting Chinese nationals and Canadian citizens alike.{{cite news |date=26 September 2022 |title=Opinion: Why are Chinese police operating in Canada, while our own government and security services apparently look the other way? |language=en-CA |work=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-why-are-chinese-police-operating-in-canada-while-our-own-government/ |access-date=8 May 2023 |archive-date=7 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507223728/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-why-are-chinese-police-operating-in-canada-while-our-own-government/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Fife |first1=Robert |last2=Chase |first2=Steven |date=10 November 2020 |title=CSIS warns China's Operation Fox Hunt is targeting Canada's Chinese community |language=en-CA |work=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-csis-warns-chinas-operation-fox-hunt-is-targeting-canadas-chinese/ |access-date=8 May 2023 |archive-date=31 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131034640/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-csis-warns-chinas-operation-fox-hunt-is-targeting-canadas-chinese/ |url-status=live }}

Clandestine Chinese police stations were reported to operate in Vancouver, Montreal, and Toronto.{{cite news |title=Canadian police investigate Chinese 'police stations' in Quebec |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-64909560 |access-date=8 May 2023 |work=BBC News |date=9 March 2023 |archive-date=4 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230504111814/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-64909560 |url-status=live }} They could be used to intimidate, monitor, and control the Chinese community in Canada, potentially infringing upon their rights and freedoms. Furthermore, there have been claims by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) that Chinese law enforcement officers have been operating under the guise of Chinese community organizations or businesses in Canada, further blurring the lines between legitimate community support and potential foreign government influence.{{cite news |title=CSIS is 'increasingly concerned' about China's interference in Canada |work=Global News |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9241586/csis-concerned-china-interference-canada/ |access-date=8 May 2023 |archive-date=8 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230508133856/https://globalnews.ca/news/9241586/csis-concerned-china-interference-canada/ |url-status=live }} Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning described the outposts as "service stations" for Chinese abroad, and accuses Canada of "smearing".{{cite news |date=10 March 2023 |title=China accuses Canada of smearing over secret police stations |language=en |work=Associated Press |url=https://apnews.com/article/china-canada-secret-police-stations-073ba25ac8254496db59ea191901567f |access-date=8 May 2023 |archive-date=8 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230508133855/https://apnews.com/article/china-canada-secret-police-stations-073ba25ac8254496db59ea191901567f |url-status=live }}

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded to the reports in March 2023 by saying that "we've known about the (presence of) Chinese police stations across the country for many months, and we are making sure that the RCMP is following up on it and that our intelligence services take it seriously."

In 2023, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) was reported to be investigating the activities of two alleged Chinese police stations in Quebec: one in Montreal, and the other in nearby Brossard.{{cite news |last1=Shakil |first1=Ismail |last2=Cone |first2=Molly |title=Canada police probe alleged Chinese 'police stations' in Montreal |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/canada-police-probe-alleged-chinese-police-stations-montreal-2023-03-09/ |access-date=8 May 2023 |work=Reuters |date=10 March 2023 |language=en |archive-date=8 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230508133858/https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/canada-police-probe-alleged-chinese-police-stations-montreal-2023-03-09/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |date=2023-05-01 |title=Alleged Chinese police stations still open in Quebec, despite minister's claims |website=CBC News |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/alleged-chinese-police-stations-still-open-1.6828345 |url-status=live |access-date=8 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230508135659/https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/alleged-chinese-police-stations-still-open-1.6828345 |archive-date=2023-05-08}} The RCMP are also investigating the activities of alleged Chinese police stations in Vancouver and the Greater Toronto Area.{{cite news |title=RCMP 'actively investigating' Chinese government police stations following arrests in U.S. |work=Global News |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9635386/rcmp-actively-investigating-chinese-government-police-stations-following-arrests-in-u-s/ |access-date=8 May 2023 |archive-date=8 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230508134727/https://globalnews.ca/news/9635386/rcmp-actively-investigating-chinese-government-police-stations-following-arrests-in-u-s/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |date=22 November 2022 |title=Canada probes reports of Chinese 'police service stations' in Toronto |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/canada-probes-reports-chinese-police-service-stations-toronto-2022-11-22/ |access-date=8 May 2023 |archive-date=8 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230508133855/https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/canada-probes-reports-chinese-police-service-stations-toronto-2022-11-22/ |url-status=live }}

While the US has already conducted arrests over Chinese police stations operating on its territory, no closures or arrests of overseas police station personnel have taken place in Canada. The lack of a foreign agents registry, as exists in the US, UK, and Australia, is cited as being a major impediment to enforcement against Chinese police stations operating in Canada.{{cite news |last1=Panetta |first1=Alexander |last2=Raycraft |first2=Richard |date=2022-04-22 |title=The U.S. is cracking down on Chinese 'police stations' with a tool Canada still doesn't have |work=CBC News |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/china-us-stations-canada-1.6818889 |access-date=8 May 2023 |archive-date=2023-05-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506164727/https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/china-us-stations-canada-1.6818889 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |date=17 April 2023 |title=FBI finds Canadian link in covert Chinese police station probe |language=en-CA |work=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-fbi-finds-canadian-link-in-covert-chinese-police-station-probe/ |access-date=8 May 2023 |archive-date=7 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507150058/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-fbi-finds-canadian-link-in-covert-chinese-police-station-probe/ |url-status=live }}

Two Chinese community groups in the Montreal area have declared they will sue the RCMP if they do not apologize for their accusations of them hosting secret Chinese police stations, and are seeking CAN$2.5 million in damages. Maryse Lapointe, the groups' lawyer, called the allegations false and defamatory. Mei Chiu, coordinator of the Chinatown roundtable in Montreal, criticized the RCMP's investigation on these groups for not even asking to talk to the employees, and only interviewing the board members. The groups say they have lost government funding, forcing them to cut back programs such as French language education and support of victims of domestic violence. The RCMP stated broadly: "It is important to note that some of the activity the RCMP is investigating is occurring at locations where other legitimate services to the Chinese Canadian Community are being offered."{{cite news |date=2023-12-01 |title=Montreal Chinese community groups threaten to sue RCMP |website=CBC News |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/montreal-chinese-groups-chinese-police-stations-1.7046962 |access-date=2023-12-03 |archive-date=2023-12-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203073548/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/montreal-chinese-groups-chinese-police-stations-1.7046962 |url-status=live }}

In a 2023 report by The Globe and Mail, based on a top-secret intelligence document and an anonymous national security source, the family of outspoken Conservative MP Michael Chong was allegedly targeted for harassment by the Chinese government as part of China's state interference in Canadian politics.{{cite news |date=1 May 2023 |title=China views Canada as a 'high priority' for interference: CSIS report |language=en-CA |work=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-china-targets-mps-csis/ |access-date=8 May 2023 |archive-date=7 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507150050/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-china-targets-mps-csis/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |date=1 May 2023 |title=Conservative MP says Trudeau government knew China targeted his family but didn't warn him |language=en |work=Toronto Star |url=https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/2023/05/01/conservative-mp-says-china-targeted-his-family-and-trudeau-government-knew-about-it.html |access-date=8 May 2023 |archive-date=8 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230508122523/https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/2023/05/01/conservative-mp-says-china-targeted-his-family-and-trudeau-government-knew-about-it.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Newton |first1=Paula |date=4 May 2023 |title=Canada says 'all options on table' over claims China tried to interfere in election, harass lawmaker |language=en |work=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/04/americas/canada-china-michael-chong-intl/index.html |access-date=8 May 2023 |archive-date=7 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507224244/https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/04/americas/canada-china-michael-chong-intl/index.html |url-status=live }} The campaign against Chong's family began in February 2021 after Chong voted in favor of a House of Commons motion condemning China's treatment of its Uyghur minority as genocide.{{cite news |title=China will be emboldened to target more Canadians if diplomat not expelled: Chong |work=Global News |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9677918/michael-chong-china-interference-west-block/ |access-date=8 May 2023 |archive-date=8 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230508000148/https://globalnews.ca/news/9677918/michael-chong-china-interference-west-block/ |url-status=live }} At the time, China sanctioned Chong by barring him from entry and prohibiting Chinese citizens from conducting business with him.

As part of the intimidation operation to get Chong to change his political position, an officer in the Ministry of State Security gathered information to target Chong's family in China.{{Cite web |last=Chen |first=Eliot |date=2025-01-29 |title=The Canada Con |url=https://www.thewirechina.com/2025/01/29/the-canada-con/ |access-date=2025-02-10 |website=The Wire China |language=en-US}} Chong also revealed that a Toronto-based Chinese diplomat, Wei Jo, “was involved in conducting these intimidation operations”.{{cite news |date=3 May 2023 |title=Justin Trudeau says he didn't know Tory MP's family was allegedly targeted by Beijing |language=en |work=Toronto Star |url=https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/2023/05/03/trudeau-says-he-didnt-know-tory-mps-family-was-threatened-by-beijing.html |access-date=8 May 2023 |archive-date=8 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230508122523/https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/2023/05/03/trudeau-says-he-didnt-know-tory-mps-family-was-threatened-by-beijing.html |url-status=live }} Chong accused the federal government of failing to inform him about allegations that Beijing wanted to intimidate his family.{{cite news |last1=Tunney |first1=Catharine |date=2023-05-03 |title=Trudeau says he's told CSIS to share more intel following report China sought to target MP Chong's family |website=CBC News |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/chong-csis-china-trudeau-1.6830687 |access-date=8 May 2023 |archive-date=2023-05-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230508092853/https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/chong-csis-china-trudeau-1.6830687 |url-status=live }}

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Wednesday he knew that after Chong was sanctioned by China in 2021, CSIS was giving the MP what Trudeau called “defensive” briefings, but claimed that CSIS withheld information about China's threats to Chong.{{cite news |date=4 May 2023 |title=Canada MP demands Chinese diplomat's expulsion over alleged intimidation bid |language=en |work=South China Morning Post |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3219310/canada-spy-agency-withheld-information-chinas-threats-lawmaker-michael-chong-pm-justin-trudeau-says |access-date=8 May 2023 |archive-date=7 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507142717/https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3219310/canada-spy-agency-withheld-information-chinas-threats-lawmaker-michael-chong-pm-justin-trudeau-says |url-status=live }} However, Chong claims that the top secret document made its way to Trudeau's national security advisor and the Privy Council's Office. According to CBC News, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he has told Canada's spy agency it needs to share more information about threats to MPs while being adamant that he only learned of reports that the Chinese government was targeting a Conservative MP and his family this week.

The Trudeau government has been reluctant to expel Wei Jo, the Chinese diplomat involved, because it will affect "economic interests, consular interests, and also diplomatic interests" according to Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly, and could lead to "potential backlash".{{cite news |title=No decision yet on whether to expel Chinese diplomats over alleged attempts to threaten MP: Trudeau |language=en-CA |work=National Post |url=https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/foreign-interference-trudeau |url-status=live |access-date=8 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724031310/https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/foreign-interference-trudeau |archive-date=24 July 2023}} Chong says that he is "astounded" by this reluctance and believes that it will embolden China to target more Canadians.

According to Chong, other Canadian MPs are also alleged to have been targeted by the Ministry of State Security, but their identities have not been revealed. In August 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Chong and his family had been the target of an online disinformation operation by the Chinese government.{{Cite news |last=Singh |first=Kanishka |date=2023-08-09 |title=Canada says China likely targeted lawmaker in disinformation campaign |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/canada-says-highly-probable-china-engaged-online-targeting-canadian-lawmaker-2023-08-09/ |access-date=2023-08-09 |archive-date=2023-08-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230809162333/https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/canada-says-highly-probable-china-engaged-online-targeting-canadian-lawmaker-2023-08-09/ |url-status=live }}

{{Further|50 Cent Party|Internet water army|Astroturfing}}

China is reported to use social media platforms like WeChat to shape public opinion and manipulate political discourse among Chinese Canadian diaspora.{{cite news |date=2 May 2023 |title=Globe editorial: The alarm on China's interference is ringing louder |language=en-CA |work=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/editorials/article-the-alarm-on-chinas-interference-is-ringing-louder/ |access-date=8 May 2023 |archive-date=7 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507210515/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/editorials/article-the-alarm-on-chinas-interference-is-ringing-louder/ |url-status=live }} This includes the spreading of false or misleading information to create confusion, sow discord, or undermine confidence in political institutions.{{Cite book |last1=Hamilton |first1=Clive |title=Hidden Hand: Exposing How the Chinese Communist Party Is Reshaping the World. |title-link=Hidden Hand (book) |last2=Ohlberg |first2=Mareike |date=2020 |publisher=Oneworld Publications |isbn=978-1-78607-784-4 |location=New York |language=en |oclc=1150166864 |author-link=Clive Hamilton |author-link2=Mareike Ohlberg}} By using bots and fake accounts, China is able to amplify divisive content or create the appearance of grassroots support for certain narratives. The Chinese government also uses astroturfing through the creation of seemingly independent, grassroots movements that are, in fact, controlled or funded by the Chinese government or its proxies. These groups may use social media to promote pro-CCP narratives, discredit critics, or manipulate public opinion.{{Cite journal |last=Han |first=Rongbin |date=June 1, 2015 |title=Manufacturing Consent in Cyberspace: China's "Fifty-Cent Army" |journal=Journal of Current Chinese Affairs |language=en |volume=44 |issue=2 |pages=105–134 |doi=10.1177/186810261504400205 |issn=1868-1026 |doi-access=free}}{{Cite book |last1=Chen |first1=Cheng |last2=Wu |first2=Kui |last3=Srinivasan |first3=Venkatesh |last4=Zhang |first4=Xudong |title=Proceedings of the 2013 IEEE/ACM International Conference on Advances in Social Networks Analysis and Mining |chapter=Battling the internet water army |date=2013-08-25 |language=en |location=Niagara Ontario Canada |publisher=ACM |pages=116–120 |doi=10.1145/2492517.2492637 |isbn=978-1-4503-2240-9 |s2cid=3444164}}{{Cite journal |last1=King |first1=Gary |last2=Pan |first2=Jennifer |last3=Roberts |first3=Margaret E. |date=27 July 2017 |title=How the Chinese Government Fabricates Social Media Posts for Strategic Distraction, Not Engaged Argument |journal=American Political Science Review |language=en |volume=111 |issue=3 |pages=484–501 |doi=10.1017/S0003055417000144 |issn=0003-0554 |s2cid=84837873 |doi-access=free}}

In February 2025, a Canadian government task force reported that a coordinated state-backed campaign on WeChat targeted Chrystia Freeland.{{Cite news |last=Shakil |first=Ismail |date=8 February 2025 |title=Canada task force says ex-Finance Minister Freeland target of China-linked campaign |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/china/canada-task-force-says-freeland-running-replace-trudeau-targeted-by-china-linked-2025-02-08/ |access-date=8 February 2025 |work=Reuters}}

{{Excerpt|Chinese government interference in the 2019 and 2021 Canadian federal elections|only=paragraph}}

Chinese security agencies are known to try to compromise Canadian officials who travel to China.{{cite news| last1=Cooper| first1=Sam| author-link=Sam Cooper (journalist)| date=8 February 2023| title=2017 memo prepared for PM warns of Beijing election interference| publisher=Global News| url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9464937/security-memo-trudeau-china-election-interference/| url-status=live| accessdate=5 March 2023| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301164124/https://globalnews.ca/news/9464937/security-memo-trudeau-china-election-interference/| archive-date=1 March 2023}}

According to the 2017 “Memorandum for the Prime Minister”, prepared by Trudeau's National Security Advisor, Daniel Jean, “Canadian officials are highly likely to be subjects of Chinese efforts to exert undue influence or otherwise compromise their independence during travel to China." The Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA), which reports to the United Front Work Department, is one of the key state agencies that regularly funds trips of Canadian politicians.{{cite news |last1=Fife |first1=Robert |last2=Chase |first2=Steven |date=1 December 2017 |title=Beijing foots bill for Canadian senators, MPs to visit China |language=en-CA |work=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/beijing-foots-bill-for-visits-to-china-by-canadian-senators-mps/article37162592/ |access-date=10 March 2023 |archive-date=24 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324011229/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/beijing-foots-bill-for-visits-to-china-by-canadian-senators-mps/article37162592/ |url-status=live }} Between 2006 and 2017, Canadian parliamentarians took 36 trips to China, sponsored by arms of the Chinese government or by Chinese-affiliated business groups.

In 2018, Ted Jiancheng Zhou, owner of Shanghai Oriental Capital Group and Evertrust Development Group Canada Inc.,{{cite news |last1=Fife |first1=Robert |last2=Chase |first2=Steven |date=3 December 2018 |title=Security experts question political influence of Toronto developer with ties to Beijing |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-security-experts-question-political-influence-of-toronto-developer/?fbclid=IwAR0QTs-EKYywlpuAx3nCxZJcM9_bTrq4QXTtWcFcYj6fq0dYtSzXXhCse0A |access-date=2 March 2023 |archive-date=6 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230306025608/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-security-experts-question-political-influence-of-toronto-developer/ |url-status=live }} travelled to China with Conservative senators Victor Oh, Don Plett, and Leo Housakos, along with their spouses. On this two-week all-expense paid trip, the politicians were introduced to senior Chinese Communist Party officials and fêted, including at a lavish dinner at the five-star St. Regis Hotel in Beijing.

During the years he was a backbench MP from 2008 to 2015, John McCallum, who subsequently served as ambassador to China for the Trudeau government, is reported to have enjoyed $73,300 in all-expenses paid trips to China at the expense of Beijing-friendly groups, prior to being appointed ambassador.{{cite news |last1=Fife |first1=Robert |last2=Chase |first2=Steven |last3=VanderKlippe |first3=Nathan |date=25 January 2019 |title=Ottawa's man in China: Who was McCallum and what was his strategy? |language=en-CA |work=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-ottawas-man-in-china-mccallum-an-ambassador-like-no-other/ |access-date=1 March 2023 |archive-date=28 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228010615/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-ottawas-man-in-china-mccallum-an-ambassador-like-no-other/ |url-status=live }}

In July 2023, a former RCMP officer, William Majcher, was arrested in Vancouver on accusations of conducting foreign interference operations on behalf of the Chinese government.{{Cite news |last=Griffiths |first=James |date=2023-07-22 |title=What we know about the retired RCMP officer charged with conducting foreign interference for China |language=en-CA |work=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-william-majcher-retired-rcmp-foreign-interference-china/ |access-date=2023-07-24 |archive-date=2023-07-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723222257/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-william-majcher-retired-rcmp-foreign-interference-china/ |url-status=live }}

In the lead-up to the 2025 Canadian federal election, Conservative Party candidate Joe Tay was the target of an arrest warrant from the Hong Kong Police Force{{Cite web |last=Blackwell |first=Tom |title=Hong Kong charge against Canadian candidate seen as foreign interference |url=https://nationalpost.com/news/hong-kong-foreign-interference |website=National Post |language=en |date=Jan 14, 2025}} and a repression campaign by China-based social networks.{{cite news |last1=Bronskill |first1=Jim |title=Security officials report 'repression' operation targeting Conservative candidate Joe Tay |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/joe-tay-china-campaign-1.7514934 |access-date=22 April 2025 |work=CBC News |agency=The Canadian Press |date=Apr 21, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250422173743/https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/joe-tay-china-campaign-1.7514934 |archive-date=22 April 2025 |language=en |url-status=live}} Liberal Party candidate Paul Chiang suggested someone should claim the bounty, which prompted an RCMP investigation followed by Chiang's resignation.{{cite web |last1=Burke |first1=Ashley |title=Liberal candidate Paul Chiang withdraws from race after suggesting people claim China's bounty on Conservative |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/paul-chiang-liberal-candidate-withdraws-election-2025-1.7498693 |website=CBC News |date=1 April 2025 |access-date=1 April 2025 |language=en}}

• Foreign electoral intervention
• Entryism
• Chinese intelligence activity abroad
• Chinese police overseas service stations
• Canada–China relations
• Today Hong Kong, Tomorrow Taiwan, Day After Tomorrow Okinawa, Words of Chinese government Influence on Japan after Hong Kong and Taiwan.

{{colbegin}}

{{reflist}}

{{colend}}{{Canada–China relations}}{{MSS}}

Canada

Category:Foreign electoral intervention in Canada

Category:Surveillance scandals

Category:Politics of Canada

Category:United front (China)

Category:Canada–China relations