Chinese government interference in Canada
Chinese government interference in Canada consists of espionage, compromise of politicians and government officials, election interference, transnational repression, and control of individuals and companies with ties to the government of the People's Republic of China or the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).[1] In 2025, a parliamentary inquiry concluded that China was "the most active perpetrator of state-based foreign interference targeting Canada's democratic institutions."[2]
Background
Further information: Project Sidewinder and 2011 Canadian government hackings
The Canadian government has been tracking Chinese government efforts to influence Canada since at least 1986.[3] These overseas influence operations have allegedly risen to the extent that they represent an alarming security threat to the United States, which conducted a secret probe into the issue in the 1990s, according to former Canadian and US intelligence officials.[4] A teaching manual of the United Front Work Department of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party mentioned approvingly having its preferred candidates elected in Toronto in 2003 and 2006.[5] In 2026, the Jamestown Foundation identified 575 "united front" organizations in Canada.[2][6] A February 2026 report by the Montreal Institute for Global Security documented instances of transnational repression in Canada linked to China, including intimidation, surveillance, and digital harassment targeting individuals.[7]
Trudeau cash-for-access scandal
Main article: Trudeau cash-for-access scandal
In 2016, newspaper sources reported that Justin Trudeau had been attending cash-for-access events at the homes of wealthy Chinese Canadians in Toronto and Vancouver, generating a political scandal.[8][9][10][11] Attendees at these events, including those with connections to the CCP, would pay up to $1,525 per ticket to meet Trudeau. In response, the Liberal Party indicated that all party fundraising complied with Elections Canada rules and regulations.[8][12]
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