Ottawa, ON – The Hon. Rob Moore, Conservative Deputy Whip; Michael Cooper, Conservative Shadow Minister for Democratic Reform; Blaine Calkins, Conservative Shadow Minister for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation; Rhonda Kirkland, Associate Conservative Shadow Minister for Public Safety; and Kelly Block, Member of Parliament for Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, issued the following statement on the Foreign Influence Transparency Commissioner’s testimony at the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs showing the Liberal government’s failure to effectively implement Canada’s Foreign Influence Transparency Registry:
“After years of waiting for a Foreign Influence Registry, Canadians learned today from the Prime Minister’s own Foreign Influence Transparency Commissioner that the registry is in shambles.
“The Commissioner revealed that only approximately 30 persons or entities have registered under Canada’s Foreign Influence Registry despite an estimated 2,400 being required to do so according to Public Safety Canada. That means only 1 per cent compliance after two years of dithering and delay.
“The Commissioner also reported that there have been at least two privacy breaches since the registry’s rollout as well as a number of technical glitches. This comes despite taxpayers being on the hook for a $29 million budget for the office’s IT systems.
“It is clear that under the Liberals watch, this registry exists in name only, with virtually no one registered.
“For years, the Liberals actively blocked and obstructed the establishment of a Foreign Agent Registry. Only after repeated Conservative demands did the Liberals finally adopt one through Bill C-70. Yet over two years later, they keep dragging their feet on enforcing compliance.
“Mark Carney said there was no greater threat to Canada than Beijing. Yet when it comes to protecting Canadians from foreign interference, it’s the same Liberal story: more announcements, more spending and more bureaucracy. All talk, no results.
“This is the result of a government that has been unserious about national security for 11 years. They are an insult to the countless Canadians, including Members of Parliament, who have been targeted by foreign intimidation, harassment and interference.
“Registration is not optional. It is the law. The Liberal Public Safety Minister must immediately ensure compliance is enforced, ensure those required to register do so and explain why no plan exists to address the 99 per cent who remain unregistered.
“The Minister must also stop refusing Conservative calls to appear before the committee and tell Canadians how he intends to fix this mess.
“Conservatives will never stop fighting for a strong and independent Canada that bows to no one and stands on its own two feet. We will protect Canada’s sovereignty, put Canada first and keep you safe.”