Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you to the members of the committee for having me today to speak on this important issue and the work I am conducting.
On March 15 of this year, I was appointed by the government as the independent special rapporteur on foreign interference, with a broad mandate to assess the extent of foreign interference and make recommendations on how to better protect our democracy.
My first report found that foreign governments, including the People's Republic of China, are working in hostile and clandestine ways to undermine our democracy. I came to that conclusion after an intensive review of top secret intelligence and interviews with senior intelligence, security and elected officials.
Methods of foreign interference are rapidly becoming more sophisticated. I have identified significant shortcomings in the government's ability to detect, deter and combat this threat.
This must be remedied urgently.
That is why how to best fight foreign interference will be the focus of the next phase of my work, which will be a public process.
Beginning next month, I will hold public hearings where Canadians will hear publicly from government representatives, security and intelligence officials, subject matter experts—and critically—those diaspora communities who are most impacted by the hostile efforts of foreign governments.
For this work, I will be supported by three special advisors with expertise in national security intelligence, law, and diaspora community matters.
Together, we will develop recommendations on the urgent changes necessary to protect Canada’s democratic institutions and, crucially, Canadians’ faith in them.
Before I conclude, I think it is important that I acknowledge the motion passed last week in the House of Commons. I have deep respect for the House of Commons, and for its right to express an opinion on my work.
I have heard clearly the disagreement with my recommendation not to call a public inquiry, as well as allegations about my integrity and my independence. These allegations are, put simply, false, and the decision to repeat them does not make them true.
The issue of foreign interference deserves serious and robust debate. I will continue to invite disagreement on my recommendations, but I will not be deterred from completing my work.
I would respectfully remind this committee, and all Canadians, that I am not simply asking you to take me at my word. Experts and parliamentarians with the necessary security clearance will be able to review not only my work but also the detailed intelligence on which it is based.
Should NSICOP, NSIRA and opposition leaders disagree with my conclusions, I have asked them to say so publicly, which they are very much permitted to do.
To conclude, I would remind Canadians and the members of this committee that my mandate is only one part of an array of work and initiatives that can be undertaken to address this threat.
Therefore, I encourage the contributions of others, including this committee, to help ensure Canada is well equipped to detect, deter, and combat foreign interference.
Thank you, and I welcome questions.