Justin Trudeau Says Xi Jinping Playing 'Aggressive Games' Amid Reports Of China's Interference In Canada's Polls

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that Xi Jinping's government is "play[ing] aggressive games" to undermine Canada's democratic institutions and democracy. 

What Happened: Amid reports of China actively interfering in Canada's federal elections, Trudeau said the country is taking "significant measures" to protect it from foreign forces undermining the democratic process.

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"We'll continue to invest in the fight against election interference, against foreign interference of our democracy and institutions," he said.

"Unfortunately, we're seeing countries, state actors from around the world, whether it's China or others, are continuing to play aggressive games with our institutions, with our democracies," he added.

Comments from the PM came after Global News reported that Canadian intelligence concluded that Beijing worked to undermine the democratic process in Ottawa in multiple elections, including votes held in 2019 and 2021.

The report alleged that China directed funds transfer through an Ontario lawmaker and others to at least 11 federal election candidates and their campaign staffers who worked for Beijing. 

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It further added that the Chinese government sought to place agents in the Canadian members of Parliament offices to influence the country's policy.

Conservative MP Michael Chong told the publication, “We had evidence of interference in the last general election through proxies that were spreading disinformation on Chinese language social media platforms, which interfered in a number of [electoral districts] with significant Chinese communities."

Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin's ally and Russian businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin admitted interfering in the U.S. elections on Monday and said he would continue doing so in the future, reported Reuters. 

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