Public safety minister deflects questions about appointment of foreign interference commissioner

OTTAWA — Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree sidestepped questions Thursday about the delayed appointment of a foreign interference watchdog, which was originally expected two months ago.

What began as a committee meeting to discuss a Bill C-8, a cybersecurity bill, quickly turned tense when Conservative MP Frank Caputo pressed Anandasangaree on a measure included in last year’s foreign interference law, Bill C-70.

“This could not be a more clear question,” said Caputo. “When was the foreign interference commissioner supposed to be appointed?”

At Thursday’s public safety committee, the Liberals’ Anandasangaree responded: “I’ve indicated this a number of times. They will be appointed in short order. We are finalizing and will bring forward a name to colleagues for their feedback.”

“I wish it was much earlier,” Anandasangaree added.

“I asked you a five-second question and I should get a five-second answer. It was supposed to be a date,” Caputo replied.

Anandasangaree’s response comes more than a year after Parliament adopted Bill C-70, a piece of legislation prompted by revelations of foreign interference. The bill, passed in June 2024, provides for a new foreign interference transparency commissioner to be appointed following consultation with recognized opposition parties in the House of Commons.

The legislation also provides for the creation of a public registry listing those who have made arrangements to work in Canada as agents on behalf of foreign governments.

In August, Anandasangaree said the Liberals were screening and vetting potential candidates for the position. He had previously indicated his hopes to present candidates for review by the Conservatives and Bloc Québécois — the only opposition parties currently with recognized status — before Parliament resumed on Sept. 15.

Thursday’s exchange between the two MPs was interjected by Liberal MP Marianne Dandurand of Compton—Stanstead, Que.

“We’re here to investigate two very different pieces of legislation, Bill C-8 and C-12,” said Dandurand in French, who later added: “Right now, we’re wasting time on things that are off topic.”

It comes after a report last year, which found that some of Canada’s members of parliament were “witting or semi-witting” participants in foreign meddling.

Eleven political candidates and 13 political staff members were “implicated,” reads the report, meaning they either had a connection with threat actors or were directly affected by their activities.

“Foreign interference is pretty darn serious,” said Caputo. “We had 11 parliamentarians who were suspected of (foreign) interference.”

“I asked you for a date and you won’t even give that to me,” Caputo added, turning to Anandasangaree.

“Canadians expect seriousness on foreign interference … and for that, you should be reflective on whether or not you’re doing your job.”

National Post

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