Some MPs helping foreign actors like China and India meddle in Canadian politics: report

A shocking new report from one of Canada's intelligence watchdogs suggests some Parliamentarians are «wittingly» helping foreign governments like China and India meddle in Canadian politics.

The National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians, which is made up of MPs and senators from across the political spectrum, was asked last year to investigate allegations of foreign interference in Canadian elections.

Their heavily-redacted report, tabled in the House of Commons on Monday, pointed to «particularly concerning» behaviour by some Parliamentarians.

The report said some elected officials «began wittingly assisting foreign state actors soon after their election.»

In one case, NSICOP members said they saw intelligence suggesting MPs worked to influence their colleagues on India's behalf and proactively provided confidential information to Indian officials.

In another case cited in the report — based on Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) information shared with NSICOP — a then-member of Parliament maintained a relationship with a foreign intelligence officer. The officers' country of origin was not included in the public report.

According to CSIS, the MP sought to arrange a meeting in a foreign state with a senior intelligence official and also proactively provided the intelligence officer with information provided in confidence, said the report.

The report said China believes it has a relationship with some MPs who will engage with the Chinese Communist Party in exchange for Beijing mobilizing its vast networks in their favour.

NSICOP reported it also saw intelligence suggesting that unnamed parliamentarians:

• Communicated frequently with foreign missions before or during a political campaign to obtain