In the ongoing saga of foreign interference in Canada, the federal government, led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, seems to be directing its focus selectively. In recent months, accusations against India have dominated the headlines, with claims of Indian involvement in transnational repression related to the Khalistan movement. But while this narrative is aggressively pursued, glaring questions arise about Canada’s response—or lack thereof—towards other foreign actors like China and Pakistan, whose activities in the country are just as concerning, if not more so.
During her testimony at the Foreign Interference Inquiry, CSIS Director Vanessa Lloyd exposed a critical yet overlooked issue: Pakistan’s involvement in intelligence operations and transnational repression in Canada, with the goal of bolstering Khalistani extremism. This revelation should raise alarm bells across the board, given the threat such activities pose to Canada’s national security. Yet, despite this, the Trudeau administration remains conspicuously silent about Pakistan’s influence, choosing instead to amplify accusations against India.
CSIS Director Vanessa Lloyd testifying before the foreign interference inquiry says that Pakistan conducts intelligence ops and transnational repression in Canada with the goal of supporting Khalistani extremism pic.twitter.com/PAKDDVPlTN
— Journalist V (@OnTheNewsBeat) October 15, 2024
This selective outrage brings to light an uncomfortable question: Is Canada overlooking Pakistan’s interference because it suits a larger, more politically convenient narrative? The Trudeau government has been vocal in its support for the so-called “right to self-determination” of Khalistani extremists, a position that has alienated New Delhi and worsened diplomatic relations with one of Canada’s key trading partners. Pakistan’s support for the Khalistani movement is well-documented, making it an unlikely coincidence that Canada’s position seems to align with Islamabad’s strategic interests. The possibility that this is part of a tacit understanding between Canada and Pakistan to serve each other’s interests—at the cost of Canada’s relationship with India—is hard to ignore.
But the narrative gets even more muddled when China enters the picture. Recent reports revealed the presence of Chinese “police stations” operating covertly in Canada, allegedly used to harass and intimidate Chinese-Canadian dissidents. Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc admitted that more such operations might be in play across the country, despite police investigations and public statements that these so-called police stations had been shut down. Canadian media reported that some of these centers in Montreal continue to operate normally, casting serious doubt on the government’s commitment to curbing Chinese influence.
The First Report by the Right Honourable David Johnston, Independent Special Rapporteur on Foreign Interference says:
The People’s Republic of China is a “particularly active” foreign interference actor in Canada. The government has also publicly acknowledged on numerous occasions that the PRC conducts foreign interference activities in Canada, and that, together with Russia, the PRC is “particularly active.”
Further, Joshua Kurlantzick wrote an article titled ‘How Beijing Is Controlling Chinese Media in Canada and Around the World’ for the Council on Foreign Relations that highlights how Pro-China owners have increasingly gained control of Chinese-language media in liberal democracies like Canada.
In another shocking revelation, according to a Canadian official with direct knowledge, CSIS found a senior Chinese Consular official in Toronto who assembled numerous Chinese-language reporters and allegedly instructed them to secretly support a particular politician that Beijing wants to rise within Canada’s federal government.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), which has historically been involved in countering foreign interference, has largely remained quiet on the matter of Chinese police stations, raising questions about whether political pressure is influencing the investigation—or lack thereof. The glaring inconsistency is troubling: while Canada rushes to publicly condemn India, it appears unwilling to apply the same scrutiny or enforce the same actions when it comes to China or Pakistan.
So why the double standard? Is it possible that Trudeau’s administration finds it politically expedient to target India, a country with which relations have soured, while protecting its ties to China and Pakistan? The Trudeau government has been criticized for being soft on China in various contexts, from trade relations to its failure to adequately address allegations of Chinese interference in Canadian elections. This perceived leniency raises suspicions that Trudeau’s administration may be more interested in maintaining favorable relations with China and Pakistan than in genuinely addressing foreign interference in all its forms.
Canada’s close relationship with China is well known. The Trudeau government has engaged in extensive trade discussions with Beijing and has consistently downplayed the severity of Chinese interference. The delicate dance around China’s influence in Canadian politics could be a major factor in why the administration has not taken a firmer stance on the issue of Chinese police stations operating on Canadian soil. Could Trudeau’s silence on this issue be indicative of a deeper nexus between Canada and China—a relationship that the Prime Minister cannot afford to jeopardize?
The question then arises: why single out India? Is India merely a convenient scapegoat in a broader political game? The absence of concrete evidence regarding India’s alleged transnational repression contrasts sharply with the known activities of China and Pakistan, where tangible evidence of interference exists. Yet, Trudeau’s administration continues to fan the flames of anti-India rhetoric, all while sidestepping the more pressing threats posed by China and Pakistan.
The selective outrage, inconsistent scrutiny, and refusal to address certain foreign threats head-on make one thing clear: Trudeau’s government is playing a dangerous game of geopolitics. The real question now is whether the Prime Minister’s actions are motivated by an underlying alliance with China and Pakistan, or whether this is simply political opportunism at its worst.
If the Trudeau administration is truly serious about addressing foreign interference, it must act with consistency and fairness. Pointing fingers at India while turning a blind eye to the well-documented interference from China and Pakistan does a disservice to Canadians and undermines the integrity of our democratic institutions. Canada’s national security should never be compromised for political convenience, and it’s time for Trudeau to confront all foreign actors involved in undermining Canada—not just the ones that fit his narrative.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Khalsa Vox or its members.
