e-4395 (Civil and human rights)

Foreign governments have legal, established, and legitimate channels of engagement with the Government of Canada. These include diplomatic and lobbying efforts, as well as economic engagement involving entities that are owned in whole or in part by a foreign state. However, some foreign governments cross the line from standard, legitimate diplomatic activities and lobbying into foreign interference when they seek to exert influence in non-transparent ways. This concept is known as malign foreign influence. When not addressed, these activities can have serious implications for Canadian interests, national security and democratic processes and institutions.

A Foreign Influence Transparency Registry would not tackle all forms of foreign interference, such as transnational repression. However, by creating a registration obligation and making its information public, a registry would generate transparency, deter malign and covert influence activity, and foster societal resilience by encouraging individuals to undertake due diligence when entering into a relationship with, or conducting activities on behalf of, foreign organizations. 

A registry is not a blacklist, nor does registration mean that an individual is engaged in undesirable or unlawful activity. Through a registration requirement, a Foreign Influence Transparency Registry would help identify who is undertaking influence activities in Canada on behalf of foreign states or their proxies. In doing so, a registry would reveal the interests behind activities directed at influencing the Canadian government or political processes in Canada. These interests and activities may be legitimate but, as an open democracy, it is important Canadians are aware of the underlying connection to a foreign principal. Unclear labelling of state-backed communications can produce public or media messaging that reinforces interests of other states and circulates propaganda or disinformation that could either misdirect citizens or pollute the general media and information environment. The registry would apply to all countries equally.

The Government of Canada is committed to the protection of individuals and communities in Canada, as well as our democratic institutions and processes. So far, the feedback Public Safety Canada received from Canadians and a diverse range of stakeholders, including racialized communities, during public consultations has indicated that there is broad support for a registry. Since the close of online consultations, Public Safety Canada has continued engaging with stakeholders to make sure the various perspectives are meaningfully considered in the design of a proposal. A registry would not singularly address the complex issue of foreign interference. Rather, it would serve as an important tool to enhance Canada’s counter-foreign interference toolkit. In addition to a Foreign Influence Transparency Registry, the government is actively considering other legislative tools and approaches to address other aspects of foreign interference.