Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s national security adviser sent him a briefing in 2017, warning about Chinese police’s engagement in unwarranted investigations in Canada, according to a declassified document. This briefing came years ahead of public revelations about the Chinese regime’s global operation of secret police stations.
The “top secret” memo, dated June 29, 2017, provided a summary to the prime minister, focusing on the “People’s Republic of China Political Interference in Canada.” The memo was stamped “returned from the PM” on July 25, 2017.
The memo was released on April 8 by the public inquiry into foreign interference, which is currently investigating the Chinese regime’s interference in Canada’s elections, as well as clandestine activities from other foreign entities.
The inquiry was launched following media reports detailing various foreign interference activities by China.
The secret Chinese police stations first came to public attention after a Spain-based human rights group published a report about them in September 2022, five years after the national security adviser’s briefing to the prime minister.
“I raised the issue of Chinese law enforcement officers conducting investigations in Canada without following proper protocols,” wrote Daniel Jean, who served as national security and intelligence adviser to the prime minister between 2016 and 2018. He added that he had raised the issue with the Chinese public security vice minister in March 2017.
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The Epoch Times reached out to the Prime Minister’s Office for comment, but didn’t hear back by publication time.
Influence Tactics
In its report on China’s overseas police stations, the Spain-based NGO Safeguard Defenders said the centres are used to exert control over, coerce, and potentially force the return of its diaspora groups.
In line with these revelations, the national security adviser cited warnings from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) in his memo regarding the malign activities of Chinese threat actors in Canada. These activities include using intimidation and covert visits by law enforcement security officials to compel Canadian residents or citizens to return to China.
Additionally, China is accused of attempting to influence the outcomes of Canadian elections, coercing Canadian officials to take specific stances on key issues, and exploiting community groups to influence policymakers at various levels of government of interest to the Beijing regime. China also seeks to influence Canadian media to prevent the publication of content that portrays the regime in a negative light.
The memo noted that in the 2015 federal elections, the Canadian government had issued a reminder to all foreign missions to not get involved in Canadian electoral activities, following evidence that China was influencing elections at the local level.
‘Unlikely to Stop’
The 2017 memo highlighted CSIS’s view of China as “the most active” country engaged in foreign interference in Canada. However, the former national security adviser raised concerns about politicians’ lack of awareness regarding the regime’s influence on Canadian politics, especially among elected officials at the provincial, territorial, and municipal levels. This unawareness makes them more vulnerable to the regime’s efforts, either in Canada or when travelling abroad, the official said.
Mr. Jean emphasized the need for increased awareness through security briefings before international travels, particularly to countries of concern, stating, “More could be done to raise awareness on these issues.”
Meanwhile, he noted that despite increased scrutiny, Beijing’s efforts at political influence are expected to persist.
“Efforts to cultivate political influence within foreign governments are unlikely to stop despite Chinese officials’ awareness that they are under scrutiny,” Mr. Jean wrote in the memo. “Furthermore, in light of Canada’s broad engagement agenda with China, it is likely that such efforts to influence Canadian politicians and interfere in Canada’s domestic affairs will increase in the short to medium term.”
He acknowledged the sensitivity of the issue and noted that public efforts to raise awareness should remain general and avoid singling out specific countries to prevent potential bilateral incidents.
“However, countries that cross the line should be reminded of appropriate conduct and risk of consequences,” he wrote.
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