Some Canadian politicians are ‘wittingly’ participating in foreign interference: watchdog

An unknown number of federal politicians are knowingly working with hostile countries to interfere in Canada’s democracy, according to a national security committee of parliament.

The startling revelation came from the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians’ (NSICOP) latest report into foreign meddling in Canada’s democratic institutions, including by countries like China, India and Iran.

It also found that the People’s Republic of China “successfully” interfered in the 2019 Liberal nomination contest in Don Valley North, which had a “significant impact” on Han Dong being selected as the party’s candidate.

The committee reviewed top-secret intelligence reports that suggested sitting parliamentarians are “witting or semi-witting” participants in foreign interference operations, including divulging secrets to foreign governments.

“Some (of the activities) may be illegal, but are unlikely to lead to criminal charges, owing to Canada’s failure to address the long-standing issue of protecting classified information and methods in judicial processes,” the report read.

“Regardless, all the behaviours are deeply unethical and, the committee would submit, contrary to the oaths and affirmations Parliamentarians take to conduct themselves in the best interests of Canada.”

The committee pointed to several activities the undisclosed number of parliamentarians are allegedly engaged in, including soliciting political support from foreign missions, accepting money or favours from diplomats and revealing their colleagues’ positions on issues so that foreign operatives can pressure them.

In one case, a parliamentarian allegedly provided confidential government information to “a known intelligence officer of a foreign