The Government of Canada continues to strengthen and protect our democracy from threats posed by foreign interference.
Today, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, announced additional measures to protect the by-elections with votes to be held on June 19, 2023, from any potential foreign interference.
The Security and Intelligence Threats (SITE) Task Force will provide enhanced monitoring and assessing of foreign interference threats during the by-election period. These assessments will be provided to the Deputy Minister Committee on Intelligence Response, which will stand ready to brief and advise ministers with mandates to combat foreign interference and protect Canada's democratic institutions.
Lines of communications will also be opened with designated representatives of political parties to ensure engagement should it become necessary over the course of the by-election period.
SITE will also produce both a classified and an unclassified report following the day of the vote, consisting of the Task Force's assessment of any attempts at foreign interference identified during the by-elections. The classified report will be made available to the Prime Minister, relevant ministers, as well as to the Independent Special Rapporteur, the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians, and identified representatives of the parties with appropriate security clearances.
These measures are in line with our commitment to keeping Canadians informed about foreign interference in Canada. Building upon the Plan to Protect Canada's Democracy, the Government of Canada continues to defend Canada's democracy against interference and uphold Canadians' confidence in our institutions.
