CSIS says they knew about Chinese foreign interference, and so did Trudeau

Keean Bexte

As per a CSIS document drafted in response to leaks of potential foreign interference in the 2021 election, CSIS officials wrote, “We know that the [People’s Republic of China] clandestinely and deceptively interfered both in the 2019 and 2021 general elections.”

During the ongoing public inquiry into foreign interference in Canadian elections, it was revealed CSIS was well aware of foreign interference, and so was Trudeau, despite his claiming otherwise.

As per a CSIS document drafted in response to leaks of potential foreign interference in the 2021 election, CSIS officials wrote, “We know that the [People’s Republic of China] clandestinely and deceptively interfered both in the 2019 and 2021 general elections.”

The document also says that the interference was “pragmatic in nature and focused primarily in supporting those viewed to be either ‘pro PRC’ or ‘neutral’ on issues of interest to the PRC government.”

Foreign interference was almost all one way: for the Liberals

On this point, it became evident that the foreign interference mainly went one way: against the Conservatives (i.e., for the Liberals and NDP). They say that this stems from China’s perception that the Conservatives would actually take a hard-on-China approach to policies, unlike the Liberals.

As per the CSIS document, foreign interference activities “were almost certainly motivated by a perception that the Conservative Party of Canada was promoting a platform that was perceived to be anti-PRC.”

A clip of Trudeau is now circulating on X wherein he states that “the integrity of our elections was not compromised”. It has now been revealed that CSIS held 34 briefings for the PMO, 2 of which were with Trudeau specifically, and that he was well aware these elections were, in fact, just that.

Justin Trudeau: There has never been any information given to me on the funding of federal candidates [in the 2019 or 2021 election] by China. pic.twitter.com/cRziUcs5BA

— Andy Lee – Special Rebel Rapporteur (@RealAndyLeeShow) November 22, 2022

CSIS Director David Vigneault also revealed that China tried to funnel approximately $250,000 to meddle with the 2019 election. According to Vigneault, this money was intended for an alleged network that included a staff member of a candidate and an Ontario MPP to positively influence 11 campaigns, seven of which were Liberals.

Kenny Chiu reveals the effects of foreign interference

Last week, former Conservative MP Kenny Chiu testified and showed just what the effects of China’s interference were.

In his testimony, Chiu explained that leading up to the election, he was subject to a concerted effort to slander him as a “race traitor” and white supremacist on Chinese social media to turn Chinese-Canadian voters away from him. He later learned that the government was aware of this but did nothing to stop it.

“I thought I would be protected by my country. And I was deeply troubled and disappointed that I was exposed, and the government didn’t seem to care. And now that, through the commission, I’ve learned that they’ve known all about it,” Chiu said.

“It’s almost like I was drowning, and they were watching it, and the best they could do is to let me know that I’m drowning. I didn’t need their notification. I needed their help.”

Chiu and his team had attempted to correct this misinformation, but he was repeatedly shut down by Chinese media, with one radio station allegedly going so far as to bar Chiu from speaking.

Chiu said he went down 8 points because of this despite projections—enough to lose to Liberal candidate Parm Bains.