Canadian intelligence agencies and a subsequent federal inquiry concluded that the People’s Republic of China interfered in the 2019 and 2021 Canadian elections. Classified assessments attributed activity to China’s Ministry of State Security, the United Front Work Department, and Chinese consulates, including covert political financing, undisclosed donations, recruitment of campaign workers, pressure on politicians, and disinformation aimed at Chinese-language communities. A 2020 Privy Council Office report described a network linking consular officials, community leaders, politicians, and staffers; alleged funding in the 2019 operation was reported at approximately CA$250,000, though many specific allegations came from anonymous sources and were disputed by the people named.
During the 2021 election, reports alleged that WeChat, Weibo, and Chinese state-linked media promoted preferred candidates and targeted Conservative politicians, including Kenny Chiu. Former Conservative leader Erin O’Toole estimated that interference may have cost his party eight or nine seats, but McGill researchers said available evidence could not establish the overall electoral impact. The Foreign Interference Commission’s preliminary findings in May 2024 confirmed interference in both elections while concluding it did not change either result; its final report, issued in January 2025, identified social-media disinformation as a major democratic threat. Canada expelled diplomat Zhao Wei in May 2023 after an intelligence assessment that he had intimidated MP Michael Chong, and launched a public inquiry under Justice Marie-Josée Hogue.
