OTTAWA – The Canadian government is preparing to consult the public about the possible establishment of a registry of foreign agents to deter outside interference in Canadian affairs, Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino said.

Liberals want to hear from experts and the general public – including members of affected communities – on whether they should follow the lead of key allies, including the United States and Australia, in establishing such a register.

The government alleges that foreign states and organizations routinely attempt to influence Canadian politics, officials and democratic processes in visible and legal ways, such as through diplomatic channels.

Some states, on the other hand, intervene to advance foreign policy goals. As part of that effort, they could hire people to act on their behalf without disclosing their ties to the foreign state, Public Safety Canada said. These individuals could be required to officially register with the government they are trying to influence, with the possibility of fines or even imprisonment for non-compliance.

“The truth is that the landscape of foreign interference is becoming increasingly complex,” Minister Mendicino said in an interview. “One of the proposals that we are looking at very carefully is the establishment of a foreign agent registry. We hope to be able to say more on this subject very shortly, including on the consultation. »

Although no date has been set, a public consultation is set to begin in the coming weeks.

The UK recently introduced legislation creating the Foreign Influence Registration Regime to compel those acting for a foreign power or entity to report political influence or be subject to criminal penalties.

Australia passed its Foreign Influence Transparency Regime Act four years ago, while the US Foreign Agents Registry Act has been in effect since 1938.

Marco Mendicino believes the idea of ​​a registry of foreign agents requires “careful and thoughtful study” to see how they might fit into a broader strategy to ensure police and national security agencies have the tools they need to deal with foreign interference, countering cyberattacks and other hostile activities, and ideologically motivated extremism, which can spread through the spread of disinformation.

Last year, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) warned of continued and in some cases increasing foreign interference by state actors in Canada.

Federal officials have long warned that Canada is being targeted by foreign states like China and Russia who try to advance their political, economic and security interests.

In a Nov. 28 letter to the House of Commons’ Procedures and Affairs Committee, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Commissioner Brenda Lucki said the federal police force is aware of interference by foreign actors in a wide range of activities, including democratic processes be.

Commissioner Lucki said the RCMP was conducting ongoing investigations into these activities but gave no details as investigations are still ongoing.

Minister Mendicino said that while the government is proposing a Canadian strategy to counter foreign interference, it is equally important that Ottawa work with allies around the world, sharing information and intelligence and working together on best practices.

This would help protect Canadian interests and “uphold the rules-based international order,” he said.