Tue Mar 25 07:29:59 UTC 2025: **Canadian Spy Agency Warns of Foreign Interference in Upcoming Election**
OTTAWA, March 25, 2025 – Canada’s Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) issued a stark warning Monday, alleging that China and India are highly likely to attempt to interfere in the upcoming Canadian general election on April 28. Russia and Pakistan were also identified as potential sources of foreign interference.
The announcement comes amid strained relations between Canada and both China and India. CSIS deputy director of operations, Vanessa Lloyd, highlighted the increasing use of artificial intelligence by hostile state actors to meddle in democratic processes. She specifically stated that China is highly likely to employ AI-enabled tools for interference.
Recent escalations in tensions include China’s imposition of tariffs on Canadian agricultural products and the execution of four Canadian citizens on drug smuggling charges, actions strongly condemned by Canada. Last year, Canada expelled six Indian diplomats over alleged involvement in a plot against Sikh separatists.
While CSIS acknowledged the difficulty in directly linking foreign interference to election outcomes, Lloyd emphasized that such activities undermine public trust in Canada’s democratic institutions. The Chinese and Indian diplomatic missions in Ottawa have yet to respond to the allegations. A previous official probe revealed that both China and India attempted interference in the 2019 and 2021 elections, although these efforts did not affect the results.
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