Conservative Member of Parliament Michael Cooper is urging Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree to testify before a parliamentary committee, expressing concerns over the state of Canada’s new foreign influence registry. Cooper highlighted issues with compliance and the functioning of the commissioner’s office during a recent committee session with Foreign Influence Commissioner Anton Boegman.
Despite the legal establishment of the office on August 4, Cooper criticized the public safety department for not adequately implementing the foreign influence registry, as mandated by Parliament over two years ago. He emphasized the importance of Minister Anandasangaree clarifying the current status of the registry, addressing its deficiencies, and outlining steps to ensure compliance with the law.
Following Boegman’s revelations during the committee meeting, it was disclosed that only two entries have been made in the public registry, with an additional 30 submissions received just before the October 4 deadline for registering pre-existing arrangements to influence Canadian public officials on behalf of foreign entities. The legislation, effective since August 4, 2024, mandates the listing of individuals or entities benefiting from foreign governments in influencing Canadian political processes.
Boegman acknowledged privacy breaches and technical challenges in the registry’s operations since its inception, attributing these issues to the minimal setup of the IT system for initial functionality in August. Cooper criticized the mismanagement and inefficiency evident in the registry’s operations, citing a mere one percent compliance rate and various registry-related problems.
Minister Anandasangaree defended the foreign influence commissioner’s efforts, emphasizing ongoing registration processes and the enforcement of legal consequences for non-compliance. Boegman confirmed outreach to campaign groups involved in the Alberta referendum to remind them of the registry requirements.
Former NDP MP Charlie Angus also raised concerns about U.S. interference in Alberta’s separatist movement and criticized the government’s handling of the registry’s establishment. Angus questioned the seriousness of the authorities in addressing foreign interference threats and expressed dissatisfaction with the commissioner’s response regarding pre-existing incidents falling outside his mandate.
Boegman’s office has yet to address inquiries from CBC News concerning these developments.
