Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Ladies and gentlemen, as we navigate through the labyrinth of disinformation and misinformation, I am compelled to share personal experiences that underscore the urgency of our task. Whether concocted by state actors, malicious groups or individuals, the intent is very clear. The intent is manipulation. It seeks to sow discord, erode trust and undermine the foundations of truth. In the crucible of Canada's electoral process, truth and deception collided, leaving lasting scars on our democracy.
What is misinformation? Let me give the example of assault rifles and campaign literature.
Imagine the quiet streets of Steveston—Richmond East during the last election. Concerned and engaged Chinese residents approached me and my dedicated volunteers. They brandished a card dropped in the mail. It was an innocuous piece of paper in their native Chinese language, advancing a dangerous falsehood. It asserted that a Conservative government would revoke the prohibition on assault rifles. This was a chilling prospect, especially for many community members who hailed from a culture with strict firearms prohibitions.
Here's the twist: It was untrue. The Conservatives had no such intention, yet misinformation, akin to a stealthy intruder, permeated our community, sowing seeds of fear and mistrust.
Let me tell you another cynical story. This time it's about disinformation. Like an architect crafting an elaborate facade, complete with fictional walls, doors and windows, disinformation constructs an entire structure from scratch to intentionally deceive its audience.
Now, let me introduce my former opponent. In my view, his ascent to power was paved with disinformation. Perhaps it was through a calculated strategy or, at the very least, he was a willing participant in a now proven disinformation campaign. He willingly embraced and propagated accusations targeting Conservatives, including our then leader Erin O'Toole and me, accusing Conservatives of racism and of harbouring anti-Asian sentiments. Exploitative and manipulative, these allegations linked to foreign states reverberated through biased media channels and chat groups.
If holding the Indian government accountable for alleged actions in Canada is not anti-Indian, why would countering the confirmed clandestine and deceptive efforts of Chinese Communists in Canada ever be considered anti-Chinese?
However, there's more. He publicly pledged to the Chinese audience that he would not support a foreign influence registry. This promise directly contradicted the then minister of public safety's announcement back in 2022 and 2023.
As we gather here, I'm reminded of the diabolical propaganda techniques employed by authoritarian regimes throughout history, which involved repeating colossal falsehoods until they became an accepted truth. Ordinary citizens bombarded with these orchestrated lies found their minds ensnared in a web of deception. Hatred and prejudice flourished as the strategy took root.
Today, we face an even vaster digital battlefield where disinformation thrives. Our diaspora cultural communities, often isolated and insular, bear the brunt of these campaigns. Their reliance on ethnic media and foreign apps, while essential for maintaining connections, renders them vulnerable. Whether foreign regimes aim to meddle in our electoral process or domestic actors plot to mislead Canadians, the consequences are dire.
To counter this manipulation, we must champion a vibrant and engaged ethnic media community—one that distinguishes facts from allegations, empowers informed debates and refuses to be silenced. Let us heed the lessons of history, fortify our defences with media literacy and stand firm against corrosive forces that seek to manipulate our minds and fracture our unity.
Thank you for your attention. May our commitment to democracy in action guide us toward a future where the light of truth dispels the shadows of misinformation and disinformation.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.