In a public inquiry underway in Ottawa, allegations of Chinese interference in Canada's 2019 and 2021 federal elections have taken center stage. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) has released a top-secret intelligence briefing, revealing China's covert attempts to influence the electoral outcomes in favor of candidates aligned with Beijing's strategic interests.

The intelligence report states that China engaged in deceptive and clandestine activities aimed at dissuading Canadians, particularly Chinese Canadians, from voting for the Conservative Party, which was seen as having an unfavorable stance towards Beijing. Although Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was reelected with a minority government in both elections, intelligence officials have found no evidence to suggest that China's efforts directly impacted the election results.

The inquiry, initiated after leaked intelligence documents surfaced last year, has already seen testimonies from various witnesses, including election officials, diaspora groups, intelligence agents, and Trudeau's closest advisers. The ongoing hearings, which began in January and are expected to conclude in the fall, have shed light on China's comprehensive approach to target politicians at all levels of government, utilizing proxies, state entities, Chinese officials in Canada, Chinese-language news outlets, and both inducements and coercive means.

Particular focus has been placed on articles in Chinese-language news outlets and on WeChat, which reportedly contained false claims about Conservative Party candidates leading up to the 2021 election. While it is unclear whether the Chinese government directly directed this campaign, there were indications of potential coordination between Chinese-language news outlets in Canada and those affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party.

During his testimony, Conservative Party leader Erin O'Toole suggested that the campaign may have caused the party to lose as many as nine seats, though he acknowledged that it did not alter the overall election outcome. O'Toole emphasized the need to protect democratic rights being trampled upon.

Additionally, the inquiry has explored allegations of manipulation by Chinese government officials in a Liberal Party nomination race in 2019. Han Dong, who won the nomination race and was subsequently elected in that year's federal race, testified that he sought the support of international students from China studying at a private high school. It was uncovered that these students were bused in to vote for him, potentially with the involvement of a proxy agent. Nevertheless, it is not against the rules for international students to vote as long as they reside in the electoral district.

While China has consistently denied interfering in Canada's elections, the inquiry has also touched upon foreign interference from India and Pakistan. Reports indicate that India actively engages in influencing political outcomes, leveraging its diaspora community in Canada. The focus is primarily on suppressing support for a separatist movement seeking an independent Sikh state. Pakistan's interference, on the other hand, is deemed limited but aligns with similar goals as India and China.

Russia, according to a recent intelligence report, possesses robust foreign interference capabilities, but lacks the intent to interfere due to the united stance of Canada's main federal political parties towards Moscow.

As the public inquiry proceeds, analysts caution that the intelligence reports introduced as evidence may contain uncorroborated information or subsequent developments that could invalidate certain findings. Nevertheless, the investigation sheds light on the multifaceted nature of foreign interference and underscores the importance of safeguarding the integrity of Canada's democratic processes.