On December 11, 2024, a new report– PRC Foreign Interference and Transnational Repression in Canada: Insights from Vulnerable Diaspora Communities written by Marcus Kolga, Sze-Fung Lee, and Sarah Teich– was officially launched in Canada’s Parliament at an event sponsored by the Hon. MP John McKay, MP Michael Chong, and MP Jenny Kwan.

The report, drawing on the experience of leaders of Canadian diaspora communities, “examines the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) interference in Canada, focusing on its efforts to disrupt democratic processes, violate sovereign information spaces, and carry out transnational repression (TNR) in Canada against communities, groups, and individuals who are critical of PRC policies.” Recognizing the steps that Canada has already taken to address foreign interference and transnational repression, namely the passage of Bill C-70 and with it the enactment of the Foreign Influence Transparency and Accountability Act (FITAA), the report issues several recommendations for improving Canada’s response further.

First, the report calls for the Canadian government to strengthen government frameworks and coordination, including by working with like-minded democracies to develop a singular, clear definition of foreign interference and adopt a strategy to combat it and taking steps to strengthen coordination and transparency, both within the Government and between the Government and civil society actors and the public. Second, the report urges the Canadian Government to provide additional resources to improve law enforcement response to transnational repression and increase support for victims. Third, the report recommends steps to empower civil society and enhance community engagement in relation to foreign interference. Finally, the report calls for legislative and policy tools, including, for example, an All-party parliamentary committee on transnational repression and foreign information manipulation and interference.

The written report can be read in full here.