Create Foreign Influence Registry
Petitioners ask the House of Commons to investigate the presence and legality of alleged Chinese overseas police stations and to enact a public Foreign Influence Registry. The government responds that the RCMP investigates such reports and that the Foreign Influence Transparency and Accountability Act has received Royal Assent but awaits implementation before coming into force.
Why we would sign this petition
- Investigations would clarify whether overseas police stations operate illegally and enable enforcement to protect residents and community safety.
- A public Foreign Influence Registry would increase transparency about foreign-linked influence activities and help officials and the public assess related risks.
- Together, these steps could deter foreign interference, strengthen community resilience, and help restore public trust in democratic processes.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- The RCMP already investigates such reports, so a new probe could duplicate ongoing work and divert resources from existing investigations.
- The petition's registry demand may be redundant because the Foreign Influence Transparency and Accountability Act has received Royal Assent and is awaiting implementation.
- Creating and enforcing a public registry and conducting investigations would impose administrative burdens, raise privacy and practicality concerns, and require complex regulations and IT systems.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
Petition to the House of Commons Therefore we, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to: 1. Investigate the presence and legality of Chinese overseas police stations. 2. Introduce an Act to establish the Foreign Influence Registry
Government response
Response by the Minister of Public Safety Signed by JACQUES RAMSAY, PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY 1. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) takes threats to the security of all individuals living in Canada very seriously and its priority is public safety. The RCMP investigates reports of transnational repression within Canada and against Canadians here and abroad, and the RCMP are always open to new information on past incidents or reports of new incidents In the past, the RCMP has responded to reports that police stations were conducting illicit activity in greater Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver at the direction or to the benefit of China. Although these investigations did not lead to the laying of criminal charges, they did allow the RCMP to work with the affected communities and diasporas to build stronger resilience. The RCMP continues to be vigilant and remains alert to the possibility that illicit activities could take place in these locations or elsewhere in the country. The RCMP also encourages individuals and community leaders to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to their local police or RCMP detachment. If someone from the public is in immediate danger, they should call 9-1-1 or contact their local police. In addition to their local police, any individual in Canada who is concerned that they are being targeted by state and non-state actors for the purposes of foreign interference should contact the RCMP’s National Security Information Network by telephone at 1-800-420-5805, or through its online reporting portal National Security Information Network. This service is available in both of Canada’s official languages. 2. The Foreign Influence Transparency and Accountability Act (FITAA) received Royal Assent in June 2024 as part of Bill C-70. The FITAA establishes an independent Commissioner and creates a public registry of foreign influence activities. Its purpose is to enhance transparency and greater public trust in Canada’s democratic institutions. Under the FITAA framework, individuals or entities that enter into arrangements with foreign principals and undertake activities intended to influence governmental or political processes will be required to publicly register these activities. Before the FITAA can come into force, three key implementation elements must be in place: Appointment of a Commissioner and establishment of the independent Office, including staffing and administrative support; Development of regulations outlining the detailed requirements for registration, exemptions, and compliance; and Development of a secure IT solution to support the public registry and case management system. The Government of Canada is committed to bringing the FITAA into force and fully implementing the new regime as soon as possible.