Canada detects suspected China-backed 'information operation' targeting Conservative MP
Canada detects suspected China-backed 'information operation' targeting Conservative MP
A Canadian foreign interference monitoring system has detected an "information operation" targeting Conservative MP Michael Chong, Global Affairs Canada revealed Wednesday.
A Canadian foreign interference monitoring system has detected an "information operation" targeting Conservative MP Michael Chong, Global Affairs Canada revealed Wednesday.
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This is the best summary I could come up with:
A Canadian foreign interference monitoring system has detected an "information operation" targeting Conservative MP Michael Chong, Global Affairs Canada revealed Wednesday.
According to Global Affairs Canada, nothing observed represented a threat to the safety of Chong or his family, however the network displayed "several indicators of foreign information manipulation and interference."
"Unequivocal proof that China ordered and directed the operation is not possible to determine due to the covert nature of how social media networks are leveraged in this type of information campaign," said Global Affairs Canada in a statement.
The monitoring system that detected Chong was being targeted was created by the federal Liberal government in 2018, as part of a G7-wide effort to combat foreign threats to democracy.
Because of heightened concerns around foreign interference dominating the headlines and debate in the House of Commons during the time of the June byelections, the government implemented additional threat monitoring by SITE.
This latest example of a member of Parliament being targeted by what Canada presumes to be another country is reviving months-long calls for the federal government to launch an independent public inquiry into foreign interference.
I'm a bot and I'm open source!
So is it pro or anti conservative?
It's anti democracy.
They'll do whatever they can to influence our democracy to the advantage of anybody that supports China.
The CSIS documents reveal that the campaign’s primary goals were to ensure that a minority Liberal government was returned in 2021, and to defeat Conservative politicians considered to be unfriendly to Beijing.
So I'd say decidedly "anti".
I find it curious, sometimes (not a direct comment on anything here, just reminded my of an observation I often have, when foriegn interference is a topic) how amero-centric we tend to be. If a forign country is going to interfere, nine times out of ten it's going to be about ensuring their own wealth and power. Political party and ideology doesn't matter, it's about who they figure they can sweet talk into a better deal. Am I a little surprised Beijing figures that's the Liberals and not the Conservatives? Yes. But only a little. :P It tracks either way. :P
I'm of two minds on this; the Cons would seem to support business at the detriment of the Canadian public, so offshoring would bolster profits of these businesses and therefore desirable to both sides. But Canadian conservatives seem to have a healthy distrust of the CCP, which doesn't seem to be so big of a hot button for the Liberals, especially give the high support they enjoy from immigrants, which are largely Chinese. So it could go both ways. Obviously the CCP have latched on to the Liberals, but I actually think they could make more inroads more easily by greasing the Conservatives financially and by making it easier for Canadian firms to do business in China.
Both parties are schizophrenic when it comes to the Chinese. I think when it comes to getting elected (the primary driver of the LPC), they'll publicly support China, but when they're in power they'll do what they can to keep them down in the interests of Canadians.
I heard something about Harper enabling Chinese businesses taking over Canadian businesses and getting preferred treatment over our natural resources.
I might misremember...
He did when he developed and signed the Canada-China FIPA in 2014, locking us into a one-sided investment agreement for 33 years.
Here's a link to the agreement ... https://www.international.gc.ca/trade-commerce/trade-agreements-accords-commerciaux/agr-acc/china-chine/fipa-apie/index.aspx?lang=eng
Thank you! I read another comment about this before but there weren't any sources.
You're welcome!