Growing Foreign Election Influences Push Canada To Prepare

Canada braces for foreign interference in upcoming federal election as intelligence agencies warn of sophisticated attempts by China, Russia, and India to covertly influence voters.

Quick Takes

China, Russia, India, and potentially Pakistan are identified as major foreign interference threats to Canada’s 2025 federal election
Interference methods have evolved since 2021, with AI-powered deepfakes and disinformation campaigns making threats harder to detect
Chinese cyber actors may target Chinese-Canadian communities, while Russia will likely manipulate social media and news platforms
The Canadian government has activated the Critical Election Incident Public Protocol to monitor and communicate about election threats
Canadians are urged to stay vigilant and use government-provided resources to identify and resist foreign interference

Multiple Foreign Powers Targeting Canadian Democracy

Canada’s Security and Intelligence Threats to Elections (SITE) task force has issued an urgent warning that China, Russia, and India will attempt to covertly and illegally influence Canada’s upcoming federal election. According to intelligence officials, these foreign powers have developed increasingly sophisticated methods that make their interference more difficult to detect than in previous elections. The task force specifically identified these three nations as the top threats to Canada’s democratic process, with Pakistan also potentially joining efforts to counter India’s global influence.

Each foreign power is expected to employ different tactics based on their strategic interests. China may leverage artificial intelligence tools to specifically target Chinese-Canadian communities, while India might activate its extensive networks within Canada to assert geopolitical influence. Russia, with its established playbook of election meddling, is likely to manipulate social media platforms and news websites to spread disinformation aimed at Canadian voters.

Evolving Threats and Enhanced Defenses

Intelligence officials note that interference techniques have evolved significantly since the 2021 federal election. Vanessa Lloyd, a key figure in Canada’s counterintelligence efforts, highlighted the increasing challenge of detecting foreign interference operations, stating: “Most threat actors remain likely to conduct threat activities and have likely adapted their tradecraft to further conceal their foreign interference activity, making it even more challenging to detect.”

The rise of artificial intelligence tools presents a significant new threat, enabling the creation of convincing deepfake videos and targeted disinformation campaigns. Canadian officials have engaged with major social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok, urging them to help combat misinformation. While platforms have acknowledged concerns about synthetic content and committed to action, Chief Electoral Officer Stéphane Perrault remains cautious, noting: “We’ll see what happens during the election, if their commitment is true.”

Government Response and Citizen Empowerment

As of March 23, 2025, Canada has officially entered the election period, activating the Critical Election Incident Public Protocol. This protocol provides an impartial process for communicating with Canadians about potential election interference that might threaten democratic integrity. The Protocol is overseen by a panel that will receive regular intelligence briefings to assess threats and determine if public announcements are necessary based on information from national security agencies.

The Clerk of the Privy Council explained: “Elections are the cornerstone of democracy, empowering citizens to shape the future through their vote. Exercising this democratic right is not only a privilege but a duty that sustains freedom and equality for all. Federal departments and national security agencies across the Government have been working diligently to protect our democracy and institutions from threats that aim to undermine our democratic and electoral processes. Their work is critical to securing Canada’s democratic processes, and ensuring the safety and security of Canadians in the face of foreign interference and violent extremism threats directed at elections.”

The Canadian government has developed Protecting Democracy Toolkits to help citizens identify and build resilience against disinformation and foreign interference. These resources, along with coordinated efforts from the Security and Intelligence Threats to Elections Task Force and Global Affairs Canada’s Rapid Response Mechanism, form part of Canada’s comprehensive Plan to Protect Democracy. Officials emphasize that safeguarding electoral integrity requires collaboration across all sectors of society and vigilance from individual citizens.

Remaining Vigilant While Protecting Privacy

While foreign powers attempt to manipulate information online, the same digital landscape requires Canadians to be equally vigilant about their personal data protection. Website cookie policies have become increasingly important in understanding how information is collected and potentially used by various entities. Just as being aware of foreign influence operations is crucial, so too is understanding how digital technologies track and utilize personal information.

As Canadians navigate both the upcoming election and their online activities, maintaining awareness of both national security threats and personal data security becomes increasingly important. The government’s call for collaborative vigilance applies equally to recognizing foreign interference attempts and managing how personal data might be accessed or utilized through everyday online activities. By staying informed on both fronts, Canadians can better protect their democratic institutions and personal information.