Canada parliament ‘witting’ aids of foreign meddling, report says
Canada parliament 'witting' aids of foreign meddling, report says BBC.com
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Report: Canadian Members of Parliament Implicated in Foreign Meddling
Introduction
- Some members of Canada’s parliament are allegedly involved in foreign meddling, according to a report by the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP).
- The report highlights concerning examples of behavior by a few parliamentarians, including accepting funds or benefits from foreign governments and improperly influencing parliamentary colleagues or business at the direction of foreign actors.
- China and India are identified as the most active perpetrators.
- The report criticizes Ottawa for not addressing these unethical behaviors promptly, stating that Canada may face consequences in the future.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- This report is relevant to SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, as it addresses foreign interference in Canada’s democratic processes and institutions.
- SDG 16 aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
Background
- The NSICOP was formed in 2017 by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to investigate foreign interference efforts.
- Composed of MPs and senators with top security clearance, the committee released a 92-page report on foreign interference commissioned after Canadian media reported on Chinese meddling and disinformation campaigns in the country.
- The report reveals that foreign governments conduct sophisticated and pervasive interference targeting Canada’s democratic processes and institutions.
Specific Instances of Foreign Interference
- The report mentions two specific instances where Chinese officials allegedly interfered in the leadership races of the Conservative Party of Canada.
- It also describes a former MP who maintained a relationship with a foreign intelligence officer.
- Furthermore, Indian officials were found to have developed a network of contacts for interference activities and likely reimbursed a proxy who provided funds to candidates of two federal parties.
Impact on National Security and Democracy
- The report concludes that these activities pose a significant threat to national security and the integrity of Canada’s democracy.
- However, it acknowledges that criminal charges are unlikely despite describing potentially illegal behavior.
- The report criticizes the Liberal government for being aware of these issues since 2018 but failing to implement an effective response.
Government Response and Reforms
- Dominic LeBlanc, the Democratic Institutions Minister, stated that the government welcomes the report but disagrees with certain aspects, including the interpretation of intelligence.
- Last month, the government introduced legislation to address the reforms recommended in the report.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
-
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
- Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels
- Indicator 16.6.1: Primary government expenditures as a proportion of original approved budget, by sector (e.g., education, health, agriculture, etc.)
-
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
- Target 17.14: Enhance policy coherence for sustainable development
- Indicator 17.14.1: Number of countries with mechanisms in place to enhance policy coherence of sustainable development
Analysis
The article highlights issues related to foreign interference in Canada’s democratic processes and institutions, which are connected to SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. The specific target under this SDG that can be identified based on the article’s content is Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels. The article mentions that Canadian officials were allegedly involved in “improperly influencing parliamentary colleagues or parliamentary business” at the direction of foreign actors, indicating a lack of accountability and transparency in the country’s institutions.
The indicator mentioned in the article that can be used to measure progress towards Target 16.6 is Indicator 16.6.1: Primary government expenditures as a proportion of original approved budget, by sector. This indicator can help assess whether resources are being allocated effectively and transparently in various sectors, including education, health, and agriculture.
In addition, the article also highlights the need for policy coherence for sustainable development, which is connected to SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. The specific target under this SDG that can be identified based on the article’s content is Target 17.14: Enhance policy coherence for sustainable development. The article mentions that the Canadian government introduced legislation to accomplish many of the reforms laid out by the report, indicating efforts to enhance policy coherence.
The indicator mentioned in the article that can be used to measure progress towards Target 17.14 is Indicator 17.14.1: Number of countries with mechanisms in place to enhance policy coherence of sustainable development. This indicator can help assess the extent to which countries have established mechanisms to ensure policy coherence for sustainable development.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels | Indicator 16.6.1: Primary government expenditures as a proportion of original approved budget, by sector (e.g., education, health, agriculture, etc.) |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | Target 17.14: Enhance policy coherence for sustainable development | Indicator 17.14.1: Number of countries with mechanisms in place to enhance policy coherence of sustainable development |
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Fuente: bbc.com
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