Foreign interference is a term for actions taken by foreign governments in Canada. This can include influencing politicians, spreading disinformation, and transnational repression. Foreign interference harms Canadian society and institutions.
Digital Public Square is responding to transnational repression of communities in Canada. Transnational repression is when foreign governments act to intimidate, silence, or harass people outside of their borders.
Coming to a new country is no easy feat, and is made only more challenging by harassment, intimidation, and threats. Here are some resources that may make your journey a little easier.
Use these resources to access law enforcement, mental health, settlement, and community support if you encounter harassment, threats, or intimidation from a foreign government.
Use these resources to report harassment, intimidation, or threats from a foreign government to law enforcement. The RCMP, CSIS, CSE and CBSA all have telephone and online reporting mechanisms for these purposes. Web pages included are only available in English and French.
Contact the RCMP’s National Security Information Network at 1-800-420-5805, by email at RCMP.NSIN-RISN.GRC@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, or by web form.
Contact CSIS at 613-993-9620, or 1-800-267-7685, or by completing the web form.
Contact the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security at 1-833-CYBER-88 (1-833-292-3788) or complete a form through the online portal.
Contact CBSA’s Border Watch Line at 1-888-502-9060.
Harassment, intimidation, and threats from foreign governments can cause serious mental health impacts. Use these resources to access mental health support in your region.
Call 310-6789 (no area code needed)
Call 1-866-531-2600 (toll-free) for free and confidential health services information for people experiencing problems with alcohol and drugs, mental illness or gambling.
Call 1-877-303-2642 (toll-free) 24/7, staffed by mental health professionals
Call 8-1-1. Available 24/7, connects you to a free confidential telephone consultation service for Quebec residents to connect with a psychosocial worker quickly. Service available in French and English.
Need help immigrating to Canada or settling into your community? Use these services in your region for support.
S.U.C.C.E.S.S. is a Canadian social services organization headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. First founded in 1973 by several people from Hong Kong, it now serves many new immigrants from different backgrounds, particularly those from mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Founded in 1968, ISS of BC strives to serve all newcomers to British Columbia. Services offered aim to support new immigrants’ settlement, English language needs, seeking employment and achieving career ambitions.
Ontario-based settlement services with an Asian focus, CFSO aims to build a safe and cohesive community by providing quality counselling, settlement, disability and special needs services.
Looking to connect with others from your community? Consider these cultural organizations in your region.
A non-profit community organization founded at the end of 2020, aimed at preserving Hong Konger identity and supporting new arrivals from Hong Kong.
A hub for HongKongers residing in Toronto to support each other and preserve HongKongers cultural identity, they provide a regular meet up on the last Saturday of every month.
Founded by a group of parents who have emigrated from Hong Kong to Toronto, the group seeks to help Hong Kong students and refugee claimants with their settlement, living, and legal support in Canada, particularly in Ontario.
The CCC seeks to be a hub for people of all ages and backgrounds, while promoting and preserving Chinese culture and heritage.
Previously the Uyghur Canadian Association and the East Turkistan Cultural Centre, this Toronto-based association was founded in 2018, and is active in providing a sense of community for Uyghurs in Canada and advocacy.
Based in Toronto, the Tibetan Canadian Cultural Centre serves as a community organization for the Tibetan diaspora residing in the city, sharing Tibetan arts, culture and heritage with the wider Canadian society.
A non-profit organization that aims to provide Taiwanese residing in Toronto with opportunities to bond and celebrate major festivities like mid-autumn festival and lunar new year.
Authoritarian countries use a variety of tactics to intimidate, silence, and harass people outside their borders. The reports and articles below explore some examples.
This Digital Public Square report describes the experiences of diaspora communities in Canada that are affected by transnational repression. It also includes recommendations on how the government of Canada can respond to the challenge. Click on the title to read the full report. (Available in English)
This Digital Public Square report shares results from a national survey in Canada about foreign interference, with a focus on diaspora communities that are affected by transnational repression. It aims to shed light on Canadians’ perceptions of transnational repression and the extent of the problem in diaspora communities. Click on the title to read the full report. (Available in English)
This Amnesty International report shows how China surveils and pressures overseas Chinese students. The state’s pressure limits Chinese students' freedom of speech and assembly. (Available in English, traditional and simplified Chinese)
This Radio Canada International article discusses current Canadian laws responding to transnational repression. The article also shows how foreign interference and transnational repression affect Chinese-Canadian communities. (Available in traditional and simplified Chinese)
This New York Times article presents the history of transnational repression globally. Perpetrators include Russia in the 1800s to modern China, Iran, and other countries. The article also discusses what host countries can do. (Available in English, traditional and simplified Chinese)
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