Canadian officials testify on foreign meddling in internal affairs

Top aides to Canadian PM Justin Trudeau responding to a question at a public inquiry in Ottawa instituted by his government said that meddling by foreign powers into internal Canadian affairs was an “evolving landscape” and rejected suggestions that the government had been slow to respond.

“There has been step after step after step that has been taken, and there are more steps that need to be taken,” said Katie Telford, Trudeau’s chief of staff.

The inquiry was set up a year ago and is expected to end in December. The inquiry has revealed that the prime minister and other top government officials tended to minimise reports from Canadian intelligence and members of diasporas about foreign attempts to meddle in Canada’s internal affairs.

The inquiry has focused attention on the opaque internal operations of political parties in Canada, especially in the selection of candidates for general elections. The inquiry’s preliminary report described the party votes as “gateways for foreign states who wish to interfere in our democratic processes”.

Trudeau is scheduled to testify on Wednesday (October 16) before the inquiry.