Ottawa, March 25, 2025: Canada’s intelligence agency has warned that China and India are highly likely to attempt to interfere in the country’s upcoming general election on April 28, while Russia and Pakistan also have the potential to do so.
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) made the statement on Monday, emphasizing that hostile foreign actors are increasingly using artificial intelligence to influence democratic processes. Vanessa Lloyd, deputy director of operations at CSIS, stated that China, in particular, was “highly likely to use AI-enabled tools” to interfere in the election.
Relations between Canada and both China and India remain tense following previous accusations of election interference. While an official inquiry concluded that attempts to meddle in the 2019 and 2021 elections did not affect the outcomes, it criticized Canada for being slow to respond to these threats.
China has denied any interference, with a foreign ministry spokesperson stating that Beijing adheres to the principle of non-interference in other nations’ internal affairs. The tensions between Canada and China escalated earlier this month when Beijing imposed tariffs on $2.6 billion worth of Canadian agricultural and food products in retaliation for Canada’s levies on Chinese electric vehicles, steel, and aluminum products. Additionally, Canada strongly condemned China last week for executing four Canadian citizens on drug smuggling charges.
India’s diplomatic ties with Canada have also deteriorated, particularly after Ottawa expelled six Indian diplomats last year, accusing them of involvement in a plot against Sikh separatists on Canadian soil. Lloyd reaffirmed that India had both the intent and capability to interfere in Canadian communities and democratic processes.
Lloyd also warned that Russia and Pakistan could potentially carry out foreign interference activities, though no specific evidence of ongoing efforts was provided. She stressed that while direct links between foreign interference and election results are often difficult to establish, such activities undermine public trust in Canada’s democratic institutions.
With just over a month until the elections, Canadian authorities remain on high alert, emphasizing the need for vigilance against external threats to the country’s democratic processes.
