Canada’s Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has asserted that he secured his leadership position “fair and square,” following reports suggesting that India may have interfered in the party’s contest.
The Globe and Mail have reported, citing a source with top-security clearance, allegations that Indian agents played a role in fundraising and organizing efforts within Canada’s South Asian community to support Poilievre during the 2022 leadership race.
No evidence has emerged to suggest that Poilievre or his team knew about the purported interference.
The allegation took center stage on the second full day of campaigning for Canada’s general election, scheduled for 28 April.
In previous instances, allegations have surfaced regarding India’s involvement in Canada’s electoral processes. The government has consistently refuted those allegations.
On Monday night, the Globe and Mail revealed that Canadian intelligence agents faced challenges in addressing the matter of India’s purported interference with Poilievre, as he has not secured the required security clearance.
The report indicated that India’s purported efforts to meddle were part of a broader strategy to sway politicians across all Canadian political parties.
Poilievre stands out as the sole Canadian federal party leader in the race for prime minister who has declined to obtain a security clearance.
On Tuesday, he stood by his decision, describing the process as politicized and asserting that it would prevent him from addressing matters of national significance in public forums.
“I refuse to adhere to the oath of secrecy that the Liberals are attempting to impose on me,” Poilievre stated during a press conference.
“I am being silenced on these issues, as I find myself taken into a dimly lit room where I am told, ‘We will provide you with a few pieces of information, but after that, you must refrain from discussing these topics further.'”
Poilievre secured the 2022 leadership race in a decisive victory, garnering 68% of the total vote. According to a report by the Globe and Mail, Canadian intelligence agents have stated that there is no evidence to suggest that the purported interference attempt had any impact on the outcome.
Broadcaster Radio-Canada has corroborated the reporting from The Globe.
The accusations have become a point of contention for Liberal leader Mark Carney, who aimed Poilievre for failing to secure the necessary clearance. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Carney described the situation as “beyond baffling.”
“It is utterly irresponsible for the Leader of the Opposition to consistently decline to secure a security clearance, day after day, month after month, year after year,” Carney stated.
The issue of foreign interference in Canada’s electoral processes has increasingly captured public attention, prompting a public inquiry last year to investigate the matter further.
An inquiry into foreign interference has determined that China and India sought to meddle in Canada’s last two elections.
A final report by the inquiry characterized these attempts as “troubling” yet noted they had “minimal impact.” However, it cautioned that disinformation represents an “existential threat” to the nation’s democracy.
On Monday, a task force dedicated to election integrity in Canada warned about potential interference in the current campaign. The group highlighted concerns about agents associated with China, Russia, and India attempting to exert influence.
The Security and Intelligence Threats to Elections (SITE) task force has raised concerns that foreign agents may leverage various tools, including artificial intelligence, proxies, and online disinformation, to target diaspora communities in Canada to influence their voting behavior.
Due to recent developments, Canadians can expect a “more active” response from the federal government regarding disinformation issues.
