Canada Uncovers China-Linked Disinformation Campaign Targeting Mark Carney
Officials confirm a coordinated operation on WeChat to influence Chinese-Canadian voters ahead of the federal election, but affirm election integrity remains intact.
- The Security and Intelligence Threats to Elections (SITE) Task Force has identified a Chinese-backed disinformation campaign on WeChat targeting Liberal Leader Mark Carney.
- The campaign, linked to the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission, uses the Youli-Youmian account to amplify inauthentic narratives about Carney.
- Coordinated activity was observed on March 10 and March 25, 2025, with posts receiving up to 130,000 interactions and millions of views, primarily targeting Chinese-Canadian communities.
- Canadian authorities have engaged Tencent, WeChat's developer, to address concerns and ensure measures are in place to mitigate foreign interference.
- Officials emphasize that the operation has not compromised the ability to conduct a free and fair election, urging voters to critically evaluate information sources.