Opinion | Is Canadian paranoia hurting relations with China and India?

In the recent media frenzy, Canada has been portrayed as the victim of foreign countries trampling on its sovereignty

It is not clear whether the Trudeau government is fully in control of its national security apparatus or is a hostage to hardliners within it

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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet during the G20 summit in New Delhi on September 10. Canadian-Indian relations have been affected by allegations about New Delhi’s role in the death of a Sikh leader in Canada. Photo: AP

Published: 9:30am, 11 Oct 2023Updated: 2:10pm, 11 Oct 2023

Allegations of foreign interference in Canada’s internal affairs have roiled the country for nearly a year now. Late last year, the Canadian media reported intelligence allegations of Chinese attempts to influence recent federal elections. Then, early this year, related intelligence reports were leaked to the media, reigniting the accusations.

More recently, the Canadian government itself has been making allegations – that the Indian government may have played a role in the assassination in Canada of a Canadian citizen of Sikh origin.

The Trudeau government has said it will further investigate the matter and has warned of consequences in international law. It appears that, in both instances, Canadian intelligence has been at the forefront of the discovery of foreign interference. In the case of the killing, Canadian officials are reported to have gathered communications of Indian diplomats in Canada. But Canadian officials have declined to release the specifics of the intelligence gathered.

In the media frenzy over these cases, Canada has been portrayed as the victim of foreign countries trampling on its sovereignty. But, as the recent uproar over the Canadian parliament honouring a veteran of a Nazi SS unit reveals, Canada is perfectly capable of shooting itself in the foot.

Furthermore, when allegations were made in the Canadian media about Chinese election interference, the Chinese reaction was given virtually no coverage, but it should have drawn more attention.

On its website in March, the Chinese embassy in Ottawa mentioned Canada’s own interference in China’s domestic affairs and went as far as to say: “It must be pointed out that only those well-versed in spying can fabricate the outrageous lies as reported in the media.”

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