Liberals have no timeline for the foreign agent registry yet
The Carney government confirmed there is no timeline for creating a public registry of foreign agents, leaving Canadians vulnerable to foreign interference.
The Carney government confirmed there is no timeline for creating a public registry of foreign agents, leaving Canadians vulnerable to foreign interference.
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree confirmed that the Liberal government’s promise to appoint a foreign interference transparency commissioner is still “going through a process.”
Despite Parliament passing Bill C-70 more than a year ago, the government has not acted on what is considered a known threat to Canada’s democracy and electoral process.
The legislation, passed in June 2024, allows for a new foreign interference transparency commissioner, as well as amendments to the Criminal Code and the Canadian Security Intelligence Act to make foreign interference an offence. It also provides for the creation of a public registry listing individuals who have arranged to work in Canada as agents on behalf of foreign governments.
Conservative MP Frank Caputo grilled Anandasangaree on the issue during a Thursday committee meeting to discuss Bill C-8, a cybersecurity bill.
“This could not be a more clear question,” said Caputo. “When was the foreign interference commissioner supposed to be appointed?”
Anandasangaree responded that he’d already indicated a number of times that “they will be appointed in short order.”
“We are finalizing and will bring forward a name to colleagues for their feedback,” he said. “I wish it was much earlier.”
Under the legislation, anyone acting “at the direction of, for the benefit of or in association with a foreign entity” is required to register if they lobby public officials. Penalties for failing to register include up to five years in prison or a $5 million fine.
Anandasangaree claimed that the Liberals were vetting potential candidates for the position back in August for review by the Conservatives and Bloc Québécois, with a list to be prepared before Parliament returned from summer break in September.
Caputo continued to press the public safety minister, unsatisfied with his answers.
“I asked you a five-second question and I should get a five-second answer. It was supposed to be a date,” he said.
However, their exchange was halted by Liberal MP Marianne Dandurand, who said the committee meeting was held to “investigate two very different pieces of legislation, Bill C-8 and C-12.”
“Right now, we’re wasting time on things that are off topic,” said Dandurand in French.
Meanwhile, a bombshell report by the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians stated that 11 political candidates and 13 political staff members were “implicated” as participants in foreign meddling last year, whether they were “witting or semi-witting.”
“Foreign interference is pretty darn serious,” said Caputo. “I asked you for a date and you won’t even give that to me,” Caputo added, addressing Anandasangaree.
Last December, Public Safety officials said the registry would be operational by spring 2025, which was later pushed to June.
“Canadians expect seriousness on foreign interference … and for that, you should be reflective on whether or not you’re doing your job,” said Caputo.
Several of Canada’s partners in the Five Eyes intelligence community already have such lists and requirements. The United States implemented a foreign agent registry in 1938, Australia in 2018, and the United Kingdom in 2023.