Federal government plans to warn foreign ambassadors not to interfere in next election
Federal official says AI-driven foreign interference is a 'major threat vector'
The federal government intends to hold a meeting with foreign ambassadors next month to caution them against interfering in the upcoming election.
During his testimony before the inquiry into foreign interference in Canada, David Morrison, deputy minister of Foreign Affairs, stated that his department is preparing for the next federal election and aims to clarify to diplomats from other countries where Canada draws the line between attempts to influence and attempts to interfere.
"I think we should, and will be, crystal clear with foreign missions here in town and their consulates throughout the country as to what we consider to be acceptable diplomatic activity and exactly where we draw the line," Morrison remarked during the inquiry.
While acknowledging that it is a diplomat's role to influence, Morrison emphasized that it becomes interference if the influence is coercive, clandestine, or covert.
Morrison also indicated that artificial intelligence-driven foreign interference is "a major threat vector" that he anticipates will become more prevalent in the next election.
He suggested that Members of Parliament should receive more information regarding how foreign diplomats operate and how to recognize when diplomatic behavior crosses the line.
Morrison recounted that when he was appointed acting national security adviser, he was tasked with briefing cabinet ministers after the 2021 election, warning them about a potential increase in attempts by foreign countries to target them through diplomatic missions.
The inquiry into foreign interference, led by Justice Marie-Josée Hogue, was established following media reports alleging that China had interfered in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections.
In her initial report, released in May, Hogue concluded that while it was possible foreign interference occurred in a small number of ridings, it did not affect the overall election results.
On Monday, the inquiry is expected to hear testimonies from officials in the Canadian Heritage department as well as security and intelligence representatives from the Privy Council.
