Canada is facing a growing threat from foreign interference, not just in elections, but in the minds of its citizens. Nathalie Drouin, Canada’s outgoing national security and intelligence advisor, recently delivered a stark warning to MPs: Russia’s information war against Canada is alarmingly successful.
Since 2021, Russia has intensified its efforts to spread misinformation, and it’s working. Drouin revealed her deep concern that more Canadians are now believing the false narrative that Ukraine initiated the war in 2022, despite Russia being the aggressor. This shift in public perception signals a worrying “traction” for foreign propaganda that wasn’t seen in previous years.
While concerns about election interference persist – with past attempts by China against specific candidates being addressed – Drouin affirmed that Canada’s last federal election was a true reflection of its people’s will. The government continues to tackle these threats by detecting and neutralizing them proactively.
What’s more, Canada isn’t just looking at traditional adversaries. Drouin highlighted an “agnostic” approach to foreign interference, meaning *any* country, even allies like the United States, would be monitored if there were attempts to meddle in Canadian affairs or sovereignty.
Efforts are also underway to strengthen internal safeguards. An attempt to add an independent, non-government expert to the panel that assesses election interference sadly fell through due to a lack of political consensus. However, the push to include such a member continues, aiming to boost transparency and public trust in the face of these complex global challenges. Canada remains vigilant in protecting its democracy and the truth.
