Investigation reveals Canadian interference in elections – Economy, Law & Politics


An investigation has revealed Canadian interference in our elections.Mohamed-hassen/5798 images/Pixabay

A year-long Business in Vancouver investigation has revealed details of an organized, extensive and unchecked campaign by Canadians to interfere in our elections.

Research and interviews conducted over a period of a year have identified a systematic effort by Canadians to influence the outcome of elections at a federal, provincial and municipal level.  At every turn, the investigation has concluded, Canadians intervened in the electoral process to manipulate the opinions of voters and compel them to instead throw support behind the candidates they approved.

“We’re talking about an aggressive, national situation,” one source said. “It is being egged on by activists. And no one is doing anything to stop it.”

Intelligence documents indicate that Canadians have been posting derogatory comments online about candidates to hurt their electoral chances, spreading negative information about candidate beliefs, raising funds to funnel to candidates they back, and organizing door-to-door operations across the country to drum up support for individuals deemed to be favouring their views.

“We’re talking about a concerted effort that stops at nothing to get people elected,” one source told BIV. “We are powerless to resist it.”

Journalists who crossed the country for the investigation into this phenomenon found town after town in which candidates were disproportionately preferred and supported. “This is everywhere,” one wrote.

As part and parcel of their community efforts, Canadians have been creating community police stations in plain sight. “They are brazen, taking charge of the organization of communities, as if they have nothing to fear,” a law enforcement source said.

The prime targets appear to be federal and provincial riding associations, where Canadians deftly offer their services with seeming impunity, but an increasing number of Canadians are penetrating the municipal political scene in recent years. “Every election has evidence of this interference,” said a political scientist who asked to remain unidentified for fear of retribution.

Other sources indicate Canadians have been known to infiltrate political groups at universities, a spawning ground for candidates and party workers. Sources suggest they have been known to procure alcohol and cannabis for these students to build support. “The young people are pawns in this system,” a person familiar with the Canadian efforts said.

The BIV investigation indicated that Canada is seemingly the lone target for this interference. Little evidence exists of Canadians playing a role in other countries. Rather, this country is seen by our intelligence allies as highly susceptible to Canadian under-the-radar participation.

“We have lost count of how many communities feature this intervention in their politics,” said one source. “It’s pretty much everywhere and almost nothing can rein it in.”

Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre, who initially called for an independent inquiry into Canadian involvement in elections, admitted he has talked to some of these Canadians and that they deserved to have a voice. “Our prime minister refuses to acknowledge these people. The last thing we need is to enact the Emergency Measures Act,” he said.

When confronted with the results of the investigation, the prime minister downplayed the impact on his party’s fortunes.

“There is no way any Canadian could convince anyone to vote for me today,” Justin Trudeau said.

Another source noted the timeliness of the results of the BIV investigation and counseled caution in how its conclusions are communicated. “Once you’re deep into it, you’ve lost a grip on reality.”

A year-long Business in Vancouver investigation has revealed details of an organized, extensive and unchecked campaign by Canadians to interfere in our elections.

Research and interviews conducted over a period of a year have identified a systematic effort by Canadians to influence the outcome of elections at a federal, provincial and municipal level.  At every turn, the investigation has concluded, Canadians intervened in the electoral process to manipulate the opinions of voters and compel them to instead throw support behind the candidates they approved.

“We’re talking about an aggressive, national situation,” one source said. “It is being egged on by activists. And no one is doing anything to stop it.”

Intelligence documents indicate that Canadians have been posting derogatory comments online about candidates to hurt their electoral chances, spreading negative information about candidate beliefs, raising funds to funnel to candidates they back, and organizing door-to-door operations across the country to drum up support for individuals deemed to be favouring their views.

“We’re talking about a concerted effort that stops at nothing to get people elected,” one source told BIV. “We are powerless to resist it.”

Journalists who crossed the country for the investigation into this phenomenon found town after town in which candidates were disproportionately preferred and supported. “This is everywhere,” one wrote.

As part and parcel of their community efforts, Canadians have been creating community police stations in plain sight. “They are brazen, taking charge of the organization of communities, as if they have nothing to fear,” a law enforcement source said.

The prime targets appear to be federal and provincial riding associations, where Canadians deftly offer their services with seeming impunity, but an increasing number of Canadians are penetrating the municipal political scene in recent years. “Every election has evidence of this interference,” said a political scientist who asked to remain unidentified for fear of retribution.

Other sources indicate Canadians have been known to infiltrate political groups at universities, a spawning ground for candidates and party workers. Sources suggest they have been known to procure alcohol and cannabis for these students to build support. “The young people are pawns in this system,” a person familiar with the Canadian efforts said.

The BIV investigation indicated that Canada is seemingly the lone target for this interference. Little evidence exists of Canadians playing a role in other countries. Rather, this country is seen by our intelligence allies as highly susceptible to Canadian under-the-radar participation.

“We have lost count of how many communities feature this intervention in their politics,” said one source. “It’s pretty much everywhere and almost nothing can rein it in.”

Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre, who initially called for an independent inquiry into Canadian involvement in elections, admitted he has talked to some of these Canadians and that they deserved to have a voice. “Our prime minister refuses to acknowledge these people. The last thing we need is to enact the Emergency Measures Act,” he said.

When confronted with the results of the investigation, the prime minister downplayed the impact on his party’s fortunes.

“There is no way any Canadian could convince anyone to vote for me today,” Justin Trudeau said.

Another source noted the timeliness of the results of the BIV investigation and counseled caution in how its conclusions are communicated. “Once you’re deep into it, you’ve lost a grip on reality.”



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