Foreign Interference in Canada Is Rising, Intelligence Report Warns of Expanding Global Influence Campaigns – Obnews

Canada’s intelligence agency says foreign interference remains one of the most persistent threats to the country’s national security, democratic institutions, and social cohesion, with several state actors continuing efforts to influence decision-making, communities, and public discourse across the country.

According to the latest public assessment from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, foreign governments are actively targeting institutions at every level of Canadian society, including federal and provincial governments, universities, private companies, journalists, community organizations, and diaspora groups. The report states that these activities often cross the line from legitimate diplomacy into covert influence operations designed to advance foreign interests inside Canada.

The agency identified the People’s Republic of China, India, Russia, Iran, and Pakistan as the primary states involved in foreign interference and espionage activities affecting Canada in 2025. Intelligence officials say these efforts can include cultivating relationships with political figures, manipulating public narratives, gathering sensitive information, and attempting to shape policy outcomes favourable to foreign governments.

Security officials warn that foreign interference campaigns frequently target individuals with access to decision-makers or sensitive information, including politicians, academics, journalists, and community leaders. These operations may involve persuasion tactics, covert relationship building, financial influence, cyber intrusions, and coordinated disinformation efforts designed to shape public opinion or weaken trust in democratic institutions.

Diaspora communities across Canada remain particularly vulnerable to transnational repression activities linked to foreign governments. Intelligence agencies report that these tactics can include surveillance, intimidation, online harassment, and threats directed at family members abroad. Officials say such activity is intended to silence criticism of foreign regimes or influence political conversations within Canada’s multicultural communities.

Russia’s activities were highlighted for their use of disinformation networks and digital influence campaigns designed to polarize public opinion and weaken support for Western policies such as Canada’s backing of Ukraine. Intelligence officials say these campaigns increasingly rely on artificial intelligence tools and proxy networks operating through social media platforms and online content ecosystems.

China’s intelligence services were also identified as expanding recruitment tactics inside Canada, including posting job advertisements through front organizations to attract Canadians with access to proprietary or classified information. Security officials warn that even individuals without direct government access can become indirect targets if their personal data helps identify other potential contacts with sensitive roles.

The report further noted that India has historically sought to cultivate relationships with politicians, journalists, and members of the Indo-Canadian community as part of efforts to influence narratives linked to its domestic security priorities. Intelligence officials say such influence activity may include monitoring critics abroad or attempting to shape political discussion related to separatist movements.

Iran continues to be identified as a major actor involved in transnational repression operations targeting critics of its government living overseas, including individuals in Canada. Intelligence officials say these operations can include cyber harassment campaigns, threats, and attempts to silence journalists and activists.

Pakistan was also listed among countries involved in foreign interference activities in Canada, though officials emphasize that the broader threat environment includes multiple state actors competing for influence in a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape.

Despite these challenges, intelligence agencies say Canada’s democratic systems remain resilient. During the 45th federal general election, authorities detected attempts at foreign interference but concluded that none had a material impact on Canadians’ ability to vote freely or fairly.

Security officials say addressing foreign interference requires continued cooperation between intelligence agencies, law enforcement, government institutions, and communities across the country. They emphasize that public awareness plays a critical role in strengthening resilience against influence campaigns that seek to undermine Canada’s sovereignty, democratic institutions, and national security interests.