Tuesday, June 18, 2024

The Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs has the honour to present its

TENTH REPORT

Your committee, to which was referred Bill C-70, An Act respecting countering foreign interference, has, in obedience to the order of reference of Monday, June 17, 2024, examined the said bill and now reports the same without amendment but with certain observations, which are appended to this report.

Respectfully submitted,

Observations to the Tenth Report of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs (Bill C-70)

As part of a pre-study of Bill C-70, your committee held three meetings from June 10, 2024 to June 13, 2024, and heard from 35 witnesses representing 26 organizations — or appearing as individuals — on the subject matter of Bill C-70.

Your committee recognizes that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) does not have sufficient resources to address the additional burden on criminal investigation and enforcement that this bill would create. The Government of Canada must ensure that the quantity and quality of national policing resources is adequate for a rapid and comprehensive response by the RCMP to an ever-changing threat environment.

Your committee heard that Canadian universities are concerned that their partnerships with foreign universities that might be publicly funded could be put at risk by the proposed Foreign Influence Transparency Registry, and that it could put a chilling effect on international collaboration and exchange in the academic community. It is crucial that the Government of Canada appoint a Foreign Influence Transparency Commissioner as soon as possible, and that upon their appointment the Commissioner engage in constructive, mutually beneficial dialogue with universities, including by communicating proactively with them, so they understand — and are aware of — their obligations under the proposed registry.

Your committee recognizes that concerns have been raised about potential unintended impacts on diaspora communities and on individual rights, including freedom of expression and freedom of association.

Given the importance of the subject matter of Bill C-70, the committee is of the opinion that it would have benefitted from additional time to study this legislation.