The Chinese government attempted to influence Chinese Canadian voters in the last election, but its actions did not violate election laws, the office that oversees Canada’s elections has concluded.
In a report dated Aug. 19 and made public Tuesday by the inquiry into foreign interference in Canadian politics, investigators from the Elections Commissioner of Canada concluded that the Chinese government tried to sway Chinese Canadian voters to vote against the Conservative Party (CPC) and then-Conservative MP Kenny Chiu in the 2021 election.
Chiu was elected in the BC riding of Steveston-Richmond East in 2019 but lost to a Liberal candidate in 2021.
“These efforts were motivated by elements of the CCP’s election platform and by actions and statements made by Rep. Kenny Chiu that were leveraged to support claims that the platform and Chiu were anti-China and promoted anti-China discrimination and racism,” the report said.
“These messages are spread through repetition on social media, chat groups, posts, and in Chinese-language online, print and radio media around the world. [Greater Vancouver Area]”.”
The messages had an impact on voters, the report said.
“According to Chinese Canadian interview subjects, this has led to widespread fear among voters, described as a fear of retaliation from Chinese authorities if a CPC government is elected,” the report said.
“This includes the possibility that travel to and from China may be disrupted by Chinese authorities, as well as actions being taken against family members or business interests in China.”
None of those interviewed were willing to name specific voters who had been influenced by anti-CCP messages, the report said.
Investigators concluded the disruption attempt was not illegal.
“These messages have been reviewed and no violation of the Act was found,” they wrote, adding that the Supreme Court has emphasized the importance of free speech in elections.
“The investigators recommended that this review be concluded because there was insufficient evidence to meet the threshold (reason to suspect) necessary to initiate a formal investigation.”
The report was among documents submitted on Tuesday as the election commissioner gave a statement to the inquiry, which is currently in its second phase of hearings.
The inquiry, led by Judge Marie-Josée Hogue, was established in response to media reports accusing China of interfering in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections.
In his initial report published in May, Hogue concluded that while it was possible foreign interference occurred in a small number of precincts, it did not affect the overall election outcome.
In the second phase, the investigation will focus on how prepared the government is to combat foreign interference in elections and how that capacity has evolved over time.
There will be more…
