QUESTION PERIOD — Public Safety
Foreign Interference
December 10, 2025
Government leader, despite legislation requiring a foreign influence registry, the Liberal government has neither set it up nor named the commissioner to run it.
Colleagues, we have all seen first-hand, over the past few years, attempts to drag our feet, even in this place, when it comes to foreign registry legislation, despite the fact that we have heard, time and again, from the RCMP, CSIS and other security forces that Canada has a deep problem with foreign influence. We even had a public inquiry before we had a bill.
In that inquiry, Justice Hogue called foreign interference “. . . a serious threat . . . .” Yet your government leaves the registry existing in name only.
Honourable colleagues, we should all be concerned. We passed that bill back in June 2024. When we did so, we had a commitment from the government that by year-end, it would have the registry in place.
After repeated promises, why is there still no political will to make this essential safeguard operational yesterday?
Thank you for the question. Foreign interference and transnational oppression are serious threats facing Canadians and Canadian institutions. The government recognizes that.
The government is committed to keeping Canadians safe. This includes moving forward with implementing the Foreign Influence Transparency Registry as provided. I am told it will be launched soon. Canadians can expect to hear more details about who will lead the Foreign Influence Transparency Registry soon as well.
The government will give the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency more tools to combat modern threats and remain vigilant against foreign interference to protect our security and democracy.
Honourable colleagues, “soon,” according to the government when we passed the bill, was the end of 2024. Now we’re at the end of 2025, and it’s “soon” again. Your own deadlines have come and gone. If foreign interference is as serious as you claim, how can you justify continued delays on a tool that every major democracy already relies on? “Soon” has already been 539 days. Can you give us a precise date of when “soon” will be? Is it 2026 or 2027? What does “soon” mean?
I guess that “soon” means soon, Senator Housakos. It’s quite easy to understand. We have a dictionary here with a definition of “soon.”
That being said, last week, the justice minister was here. He made the commitment to table a bill. The bill has been tabled. I hope you will agree with me on implementing that bill “soon” as well.
