Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair stated on Thursday that a federal registry requiring foreign agents to disclose their payments “will provide us with very important tools.” . Bill BlairCourtesy CBC .According to Blacklock’s Reporter, the Cabinet has not established a timeline for introducing the bill..“I think Parliament does have a very significant role to play here, a responsibility,” Blair testified at the House Affairs committee. .“We have already identified and there have been consultations on a foreign agent registry which I think is going to be very important.”.“It will provide us with very important tools,” said Blair. .“We all need to make sure that legislative response to these circumstances is robust and effective, but it also has to be done thoughtfully and carefully.”.A private Conservative bill S-237 An Act to Establish the Foreign Influence Registry was introduced in the Senate on Feb. 24, 2022. The bill would mandate disclosure of all lobbyists acting for “a foreign government, an individual or entity related to a foreign government” under threat of $200,000 fines and two years in jail..On Wednesday, Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino told the Senate that the cabinet wanted its own bill. “We are moving forward with the reforms that are necessary to fight interference,” said Mendicino..“We are taking decisive action on that front and will pass the piece of legislation as quickly as possible, but we have to bring Canadians along, including diasporas who are victims of and targeted by foreign interference,” said Mendicino. He did not elaborate..On Feb. 6, Mendicino told the Special Committee on Canada-China Relations that any attempt to unmask Chinese foreign agents must be culturally sensitive. “To deal with threats to national security, we need agencies to be inclusive, diverse and culturally sensitive,” said Mendicino..“Is there something that gives hesitance or pause on the utility of a registry?” asked Liberal MP Peter Fragiskatos (London North Centre, ON). .“I wouldn’t describe it as hesitation,” replied Mendicino. .“I think we need to be diligent and thoughtful and inclusive when it comes to bringing all Canadians along.”.Since 1938, the US has had the Foreign Agents Registration Act. In 2018, Australia created a similar law called the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act to monitor foreign agents..The department of Public Safety in a 2022 briefing note Foreign Interference said foreign agents may have improper contacts with VIPs in Canada. “They may employ individuals, some of whom may be high profile, to act on their behalf without disclosing ties to the foreign state,” said the note.
Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair stated on Thursday that a federal registry requiring foreign agents to disclose their payments “will provide us with very important tools.” . Bill BlairCourtesy CBC .According to Blacklock’s Reporter, the Cabinet has not established a timeline for introducing the bill..“I think Parliament does have a very significant role to play here, a responsibility,” Blair testified at the House Affairs committee. .“We have already identified and there have been consultations on a foreign agent registry which I think is going to be very important.”.“It will provide us with very important tools,” said Blair. .“We all need to make sure that legislative response to these circumstances is robust and effective, but it also has to be done thoughtfully and carefully.”.A private Conservative bill S-237 An Act to Establish the Foreign Influence Registry was introduced in the Senate on Feb. 24, 2022. The bill would mandate disclosure of all lobbyists acting for “a foreign government, an individual or entity related to a foreign government” under threat of $200,000 fines and two years in jail..On Wednesday, Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino told the Senate that the cabinet wanted its own bill. “We are moving forward with the reforms that are necessary to fight interference,” said Mendicino..“We are taking decisive action on that front and will pass the piece of legislation as quickly as possible, but we have to bring Canadians along, including diasporas who are victims of and targeted by foreign interference,” said Mendicino. He did not elaborate..On Feb. 6, Mendicino told the Special Committee on Canada-China Relations that any attempt to unmask Chinese foreign agents must be culturally sensitive. “To deal with threats to national security, we need agencies to be inclusive, diverse and culturally sensitive,” said Mendicino..“Is there something that gives hesitance or pause on the utility of a registry?” asked Liberal MP Peter Fragiskatos (London North Centre, ON). .“I wouldn’t describe it as hesitation,” replied Mendicino. .“I think we need to be diligent and thoughtful and inclusive when it comes to bringing all Canadians along.”.Since 1938, the US has had the Foreign Agents Registration Act. In 2018, Australia created a similar law called the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act to monitor foreign agents..The department of Public Safety in a 2022 briefing note Foreign Interference said foreign agents may have improper contacts with VIPs in Canada. “They may employ individuals, some of whom may be high profile, to act on their behalf without disclosing ties to the foreign state,” said the note.
