With less than a week until the federal election, Chinese interference is running unabated.
Conservative candidate Joe Tay has suspended public campaigning in Don Valley North after Canadian security officials warned of threats tied to a Chinese government repression campaign targeting him.
Tay, a Hong Kong-Canadian democracy activist, faced a barrage of foreign interference, including mock “wanted” posters, disparaging online content, and efforts to suppress his name on Chinese-language social media platforms, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The campaign, linked to Hong Kong authorities and Beijing, intensified as Tay seeks a federal seat. The RCMP engaged with Tay to ensure his safety, prompting the candidate to halt in-person campaign events.
“My priority is the safety of my team and supporters,” Tay said in a statement.
Tay, who has a HK$1 million bounty on him from Hong Kong police for his pro-democracy activism, is among several Canadian politicians flagged for foreign interference risks.
Security officials briefed candidates on threats, with Tay’s case highlighting Beijing’s transnational efforts to silence critics abroad. The Conservative Party condemned the interference, calling for stronger measures to protect Canada’s electoral process.
“No candidate should face intimidation for their beliefs,” a party spokesperson said.
Paul Chiang, the former Liberal incumbent for Markham-Unionville, withdrew from the federal election on March 31 following backlash over comments he made in January suggesting people could claim the bounty by turning in Tay to the Chinese consulate in Toronto.
The remarks, reported by Chinese-language newspaper Ming Pao, prompted an RCMP investigation into potential violations of the Foreign Interference and Security of Information Act.
Liberal Leader Mark Carney has addressed Chinese election interference. During a news conference in Niagara Falls on April 18 he said, “Canada has to counter Chinese foreign interference threats.”
In October 2024, Brookfield Asset Management, chaired by Carney at the time, secured a US$276 million loan from the Bank of China to refinance Shanghai commercial properties. This followed Carney’s meeting with the People’s Bank of China deputy director, raising concerns about conflicts of interest.
Critics, including Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, questioned Carney’s ties to China, citing Brookfield’s $3 billion in Chinese investments and his praise for Beijing’s leadership.
Carney dismissed allegations, saying his assets are in a blind trust to avoid conflicts.
