Making 'foreign meddling' a domestic poll weapon

Vanessa Lloyd, chair of Canada's security and intelligence threats to elections taskforce, mentioned recently at a press conference that India, Russia, Pakistan, Iran and China can subvert their national elections through sophisticated disinformation campaigns.

- HARSHA KAKAR

Vanessa Lloyd, chair of Canada's security and intelligence threats to elections taskforce, mentioned recently at a press conference that India, Russia, Pakistan, Iran and China can subvert their national elections through sophisticated disinformation campaigns. The number of countries listed by her suggests that Canadian elections have global significance. However, the reality remains that Canada has little or no global voice or significance. No matter who sits in Ottawa, little will change.

Snap elections have been called by the new Canadian PM, Mark Carney, and are scheduled for 28 April. Lloyd added, "It's often very difficult to establish a direct link between foreign interference activities and election results." About India, she mentioned that it would exploit its networks of allies and proxies in Canada to 'assert its geopolitical influence' and meddle in democratic processes. This means little.

It also conveys that Lloyd does not trust its citizens to vote freely based on their beliefs and on issues pertaining to Canada and its ties with the US but that they can be swayed by external sources.

President Donald Trump's demand for Canada to become America's 51st state would dominate electioneering, another form of interference. It was Trump's comments which speeded up the downfall of the last PM, Justin Trudeau. While Canada has accused India and other states, it remains silent on the US, which will definitely desire a leader who is subservient to Trump. US influence in Canadian elections is a known factor.