Statement by Chrystia Freeland
Today, the Foreign Interference Commission released its final report, which states that more serious action is urgently needed to protect our democratic institutions from foreign influence. I welcome Justice Hogue’s recommendations. A government led by me will take foreign interference seriously—and will never risk our national security for political gain.
Canada could have and should have done better. As Prime Minister, I will ensure I get briefed every day on issues of national security. Then I will take action. Delay can mean disaster or death when managing security threats. Within our own Liberal Party, we must take all action possible to root out any risks of foreign interference.
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If I become Prime Minister on March 9, I will immediately:
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Declassify all intelligence and evidence of foreign interference in federal elections over the past two decades, while ensuring that sources and methods and any information that would be harmful to our allies is protected.
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Require all party leaders in Parliament to obtain Top Secret security clearance and attend regular intelligence briefings, to ensure that combatting foreign interference is a united effort for all of Canada. Every political party and leader can help combat interference. Canada can learn from the best practices of allied democracies, such as the United States’ mandatory national security and intelligence briefings for senior politicians of all parties.
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Require our national security and intelligence services, including the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, to report all concerns of foreign interference within a party or caucus directly to the party leader. If national security agencies suspect a Parliamentarian has knowingly or unknowingly engaged in activities of concern, they must investigate and, if validated, notify the party leader. If no action is taken within one week by the party leader, the findings must be shared with all party leaders.
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I call upon all candidates in this leadership race, and all party leaders in Parliament, to agree to my bold plan to preserve and protect Canada’s democratic institutions.