An official inquiry into alleged foreign interference in Canada's last two federal elections has released an interim report.
The Commission on Foreign Interference in Canada's last two elections found evidence of meddling but says it did not undermine the integrity of the country's electoral system and did not affect who formed the government.
The commission mainly focused on possible interference by China, Russia and India.
After listening to 60 witnesses over three weeks of hearings, Commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue found in the interim report that disinformation campaigns may have played a part in the nomination process of certain candidates.
Interference from China may have helped elect Liberal candidate Han Dong in suburban Toronto and defeat incumbent Kenny Chiu, a Conservative in suburban Vancouver. Dong is currently an independent Member of Parliament.
Speaking in Ottawa, Hogue said this has left a mark on Canada's election process.
"Nonetheless, the acts of interference that occurred. Some of these acts have been established — while others remain only suspected — are a stain on our electoral process. And in fact, the process leading up to the actual vote," Hogue said.
In releasing the interim report, Hogue said it is impossible to determine if this interference affected the number of votes for each candidate.
Dong was born in Shanghai. Critics say he's spoken favorably about the People's Republic of China, while Chiu, born in then-British-controlled Hong Kong, has spoken against Beijing.
In an interview with VOA, Chiu said he was encouraged that Hogue, who is a judge in Quebec, found a reasonable possibility his election defeat in 2021 could have been the result of Chinese interference.
However, he said Hogue and the commission need more time.
"Overall, I'm still fairly, skeptic, skeptical to the... to the effort because I, in my personal opinion, I don't think there has been enough time given to Judge Hogue to do a proper job," he said.
Hogue said in the future, Canada must be careful not to stigmatize different ethnic groups targeted by interference.
"We must also avoid taking measures that will stigmatize some of our fellow citizens, particularly those from the diasporas," Hogue said. “But all that makes it that much more difficult to fight foreign interference, which is generally, but not exclusively, the work of authoritarian regimes. To a certain extent, it is an uneven battle."
In her report, Hogue said the impact was minimal but may become more severe. She thinks the chance of politicians modifying their platforms due to foreign pressure may happen if sufficient safeguards are not implemented.
Hogue said the report has a classified supplement that does not alter her findings and reinforces some of them.
She said this report is not definitive, but she does not think the main conclusions will change in the coming stages of the inquiry.
The next stage focuses on the Canadian government's ability to detect, prevent and counter any future foreign interference.
The inquiry will launch an outreach program, examining different ethnic groups in Canada, to get their views and experiences on any foreign interference.
A final report is expected by the end of the year.
