In a recent episode of The Ezra Levant Show, guest host David Menzies discussed the issue of election interference through “Beijing-controlled media in Canada” with Andy Lee, Rebel News’ China Affairs reporter. According to leaked CSIS documents obtained by journalist Sam Cooper, there is a massively funded pro-Beijing campaign targeting Canadian media outlets.
Andy Lee revealed that Rebel News has done some original reporting on media outlets tied to the Chinese Communist Party and the United Front Work Department. One such establishment is Red Maple News, whose president also works for Russia Today. She attends political conferences for the United Front Work Department and volunteers for Justin Trudeau. In fact, she has even received personal invitations to Parliament Hill from the Prime Minister himself.
However, the new twist in Sam Cooper’s documents is the revelation that mainstream media has also been targeted by the foreign influence campaign. This includes Chinese-based news outlets as well as individuals with ties to the United Front and the Chinese Communist Party. What is shocking is that this interference is taking place within our own domestic stations.
David asked Andy whether this foreign interference has been effective for the liberals. Andy admitted that it is difficult to gauge the exact impact it has had on elections. While it is known that some of these individuals have dual loyalties or work directly for China, not every Chinese community association is engaged in such activities. Many of them genuinely contribute to their communities, which allows them to operate in a gray area without committing any criminal offenses. However, they do have underlying motivations and loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party.
This issue of election interference raises concerns about the influence that foreign powers can have on our democratic processes. While it may be challenging to measure the exact extent of this interference, it is crucial to examine and address any potential threats to the integrity of our elections.
As the discussion concluded, it became clear that stronger legislation may be necessary to prevent foreign interference in Canadian elections. This would help protect the democratic rights of Canadian citizens and ensure that our elections are truly free and fair.
Overall, the revelations about the massively funded foreign influence campaign targeting Canadian media outlets serve as a wake-up call. It highlights the need for increased awareness and action to safeguard the integrity of our democratic processes against foreign interference.
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