Why a Liberal MP is sponsoring a petition to reconsider foreign agent registry
Global News
A petition supported by Ontario MP Chandra Arya is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed foreign influence transparency registry.
A Liberal MP has sponsored a petition calling on Ottawa to reassess its foreign agent registry plan in what appears to be an unusual public show of opposition from within the caucus to the government’s position.
Chandra Arya, an MP for Nepean, Ont., is the sponsor of a petition initiated by an individual in Coquitlam, B.C. — a place more than 4,000 kilometres away from the riding Arya represents.
The petition opened up for signatures on Friday, asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed “foreign influence transparency registry.”
Ottawa kicked off public consultations for the registry last month that will run until May.
The government says the registry would increase transparency around illegitimate foreign state influence activities. The petition argues that a registry is a “misleading way to identify sources of foreign influence.”
“We do not believe … that a foreign influence registry will meaningfully address intimidation of Canadians and other kinds of foreign interference,” the petition states.
In an email to Global News Saturday, Arya said he agrees with the concerns expressed by the petitioners.
“There is a legitimate fear among some Canadians, including the Chinese-Canadian community, the proposed registry as a tool in wrong hands can lead to harassment and intimidation of many ethnic minorities in Canada,” he said.
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