Independent

Canada says China used ‘Spamouflage’ campaign to target Justin Trudeau and other lawmakers

Guardian

Canada tells of China-linked ‘spamouflage’ blitz on MPs’ social media

An inquiry conducted by the Commissioner of Canada Elections has found that while China did attempt to sway the votes of Chinese Canadians against the Conservative Party in 2021, its actions did not break election laws.

The inquiry was particularly focused on the re-election campaign of former Conservative member of Parliament (MP) Kenny Chiu, who was elected in British Columbia's Steveston-Richmond East district in 2019 but lost in 2021.

National Post

The report concluded that China "leveraged" certain comments made by Chiu, which were then "amplified through repetition in social media, chat groups," and in Chinese media to claim the MP was stoking "anti-Chinese discrimination and racism."

The report, which found the influence operation was not to be "in contravention" of the Canada Elections Act, claimed that it was "unique to the Chinese diaspora and the assertive nature of Chinese government interests."

While the commission interviewed several Chinese Canadians, "several" of whom claimed China could employ "retributive measures" against them for speaking out against the Chinese government, none of them would identify an actual voter who was impacted by the scheme.

This follows a separate report last year, which found that Canadian intelligence services were aware in 2021 about Chinese government attempts to to intimidate another Conservative MP, Michael Chong, and his family.

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Canada: Inquiry Finds Insufficient Evidence of 2021 Chinese Election Meddling

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Canada: Inquiry Finds Insufficient Evidence of 2021 Chinese Election Meddling

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