Canada to brief foreign missions on ‘acceptable activity’ in advance of next election

By Jim Bronskill, The Canadian Press on October 4, 2024.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) commissioner Michael Duheme testifies at the Foreign Interference Commission in Ottawa on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024. A slate of department representatives will testify as the commission of inquiry looks at ways of detecting and countering foreign meddling.THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Patrick Doyle

OTTAWA – The deputy minister of foreign affairs says heads of missions from around the world will be briefed in November on Canada’s expectations of “acceptable diplomatic activity” during the next general election.

David Morrison told a federal inquiry today that foreign diplomats will be convened at Global Affairs Canada headquarters to go over “exactly where the lines are” between legitimate foreign influence and unwelcome meddling.

He said Canada will be “crystal clear” with foreign missions in Ottawa and their consulates throughout the country about what it considers appropriate diplomatic activity.

Morrison said more could also be done to sensitize MPs about what it’s like to interact with foreign diplomats.

A general election is expected in Canada within the next year.

The foreign interference inquiry’s latest hearings are focusing on the practices of key agencies as well as the experiences of diaspora communities.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 4, 2024.