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. The 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. The 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.”
The 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