The Security and Intelligence Threats to Elections task force in Canada has detected coordinated and malicious activity from accounts linked to the People’s Republic of China targeting former finance minister Chrystia Freeland, a leading candidate from the Liberal Party of Canada. The Chinese embassy in Ottawa had no immediate comment on the report.
Key Points
Coordinated and malicious activity from China linked to targeting a Canadian political candidate
Over 30 WeChat accounts involved in the campaign
Freeland's response to the interference and affirmation of defending democracy
Pros
Detection of foreign interference in Canadian elections
Cons
Potential threat to the integrity of the democratic process