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ARTICLE · 31 MARCH 2023

Canada Launches Public Consultation On Proposed Foreign Influence Transparency Registry

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
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On March 10, 2023, Canada's Minister of Public Safety, the Honourable Marco Mendicino, announced the federal government's launch of a public consultation on the creation of a Foreign Influence...

CanadaGovernment, Public Sector
Alexis Levine
Alexis Levine
Laura Dougan
Laura Dougan
Alan Fraser
Alan Fraser
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On March 10, 2023, Canada's Minister of Public Safety, the Honourable Marco Mendicino, announced the federal government's launch of a public consultation on the creation of a Foreign Influence Transparency Registry in Canada (Registry). The purpose of the public consultation is to solicit feedback on how Canada might bolster defences against malign foreign influence. Consultations are open until May 9, 2023.

Concurrent with the launch, the government released a consultation paper, "Enhancing Foreign Influence Transparency: Exploring Measures to Strengthen Canada's Approach" (Consultation Paper).

BACKGROUND

The proposed Registry attempts to distinguish between two concepts: foreign influence and foreign interference. Foreign influence involves transparent activities undertaken by foreign states to exert influence, such as legitimate lobbying, advocacy efforts and regular diplomatic activity. Foreign interference, on the other hand, is defined in the

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