Canada detects suspected China-backed 'information operation' targeting Conservative MP

A Canadian foreign interference monitoring system has detected an 'information operation' targeting Conservative MP Michael Chong, Global Affairs revealed Wednesday.

A Canadian foreign interference monitoring system has detected an "information operation" targeting Conservative MP Michael Chong, Global Affairs revealed Wednesday.

In a statement, the agency said that as part of the online monitoring for foreign state-sponsored disinformation employed during the June federal byelections— known as the "Rapid Response Mechanism" (RRM)— the targeting was detected on Chinese instant messaging platform WeChat.

“Between May 4 and 13, 2023, a coordinated network of WeChat’s news accounts featured, shared and amplified a large volume of false or misleading narratives about Mr. Chong. Most of the activity was targeted at spreading false narratives about his identity, including commentary and claims about his background, political stances and family’s heritage," the government said.

According to Global Affairs, nothing observed represented a threat to the safety of Chong or his family, however the network displayed "several indicators of foreign information manipulation and interference." These included: co-ordinated content and timing; highly suspicious and abnormal shifts in the volume and scope of engagement; and the concealment of state involvement.

This is not the first time Chong has been the target of foreign interference; it was revealed this spring that Chong and his family were the subjects of an "intimidation campaign" allegedly orchestrated by a now-expelled Chinese diplomat, in retaliation for his condemnation of Beijing's treatment of Uyghur Muslims. 

Now, while the government won't say concretely that China was behind this latest targeting effort, it has indicated that China's role "is highly probable."

"Unequivocal proof that China ordered and directed the operation is not possible to determine due to the covert nature of how social media networks are leveraged in this type of information campaign," said Global Affairs Canada in a statement.