Montréal, March 3, 2025 – The Foreign Interference Commission’s Final Report, released on January 29, 2025, has confirmed what the Russian Canadian Democratic Alliance (RCDA) has asserted throughout the Commission’s proceedings: information manipulation is the “single biggest risk” and an “existential threat” to Canada’s democracy.
The report correctly identifies the Russian regime as “the prime example” of this threat and highlights a significant “gap in Canada’s capacity to identify and counter” this type of foreign interference. This failure is particularly concerning, as the Russian government’s information manipulation operations have been well-documented for years, notably in the aftermath of the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
Throughout the public inquiry, RCDA played an active role in representing the Russian-Canadian community. With full standing in the Commission’s process, RCDA:
- Advocated for stronger protections against foreign interference, particularly against the Russian regime’s information manipulation operations.
- Petitioned the Commission to revise its initial conclusion that Russian propaganda did not target Canada and its elections — the final report acknowledged that Russia has actively spread disinformation to sow discord.
- Submitted eight key recommendations to the Commission, several of which were reflected in the Final Report’s recommendations.
- Cross-examined nearly 100 witnesses, including the Prime Minister, Ministers, and high-ranking officials from all the agencies involved in responding to foreign interference.
While RCDA believes the Commission should have gone further in recognizing the full extent of the Russian government’s meddling in Canada’s democracy, the Commission’s Final Report must nonetheless serve as a wake-up call.
RCDA urges all levels of government, particularly the federal government, to treat the Russian regime’s interference as an existential threat to democracy and to take immediate and decisive action. Every Canadian must take this threat seriously—the window of opportunity to act is closing fast. The Commission’s recommendations, particularly recommendations 10, 11 and 51, must be implemented without delay.
RCDA is a volunteer-led non-profit organization founded in response to Russia’s criminal invasion of Ukraine. Its mission is to support and empower members of the Russian Canadian community who uphold the values of democracy, human rights, civil liberties, and the rule of law. The RCDA stands ready to work with policymakers and civil society to implement these recommendations and hold the Russian regime accountable.
Link to Executive Summary of the Commission’s Final Report
Montréal, September 30, 2024 – On September 19, the Russian Canadian Democratic Alliance’s (RCDA) application seeking a review of the Foreign Interference Commission’s Initial Report, released on May 3, 2024, was dismissed. RCDA is disappointed by this decision and is reevaluating its continued participation in the Commission’s proceedings.
The Commission did not address clear evidence of Russian interference during the 2019 and 2021 general elections elicited during Stage 1 of the Commission’s proceedings, notably a report from the Atlantic Council, a New York Times article, as well as reports #3, #4, and #5 from RRM Canada and Mr. O’Toole’s testimony.
The recent explosive allegations in an unsealed U.S. indictment regarding Tenet Media further confirm that Russia interfered more than previously thought in these elections, including by contracting one of the co-founders of Tenet Media to promote political content during the 2021 election (paragraph 10a of the indictment).
The Canadian public and the Russian diaspora may never fully know the extent of Russian interference during these elections.
It is clear that Russia has been engaging in activities interfering with Canada’s democratic processes. RCDA knows it, the Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs knows it, the Minister of Foreign Affairs knows it, MPs on the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security know it, and experts on the matter know it as well. Respectfully, the Initial Report’s findings that Russia “lacks the intent” to interfere in Canadian elections or that “Russia is likely not currently a significant foreign interference threat to Canadian federal elections” are incorrect.
The U.S. Justice Department’s allegations regarding Tenet media serve “as a harsh reminder that Canada is not only affected, but also implicated” in Russian interference campaigns. This echoes CSIS chief Richard Fadden views, who notes “If you think naively that the Russians don’t care as much about influencing Canadian thought or penetrating the Canadian government at all levels—I’m here to tell you they care deeply about shaping how you think, how you vote, and sowing chaos and discord.”
RCDA is a volunteer-led non-profit organization created in the wake of Russia’s unjustified invasion of Ukraine. Its core mission is to support the development of members of the Russian-Canadian community who uphold the ideals of democracy, human rights, civil liberties, and the rule of law.
Yuriy Novodvorskiy
Director
Russian Canadian Democratic Alliance
novo@rcda.ca