Overview
- By the Oct. 3–4 filing deadline the Foreign Influence Transparency Commissioner reported roughly 30 submissions and only two names publicly listed on the registry.
- Commissioner Anton Boegman told MPs on Oct. 6 that his office is actively contacting dozens of groups, vetting incoming filings and preparing follow-up steps if voluntary compliance remains low.
- The registry was launched as a minimum viable product and has suffered repeated technical bugs and two privacy incidents that delayed publication of some entries.
- The law took effect on Aug. 4 and does not cover meetings or payments that occurred entirely before that date or some payments from non-governmental foreign actors, and other federal agencies retain roles in investigating threats.
- Opposition MPs have seized on the shortfall versus Public Safety Canada’s estimate of about 2,422 expected registrants and say the low numbers raise questions about awareness and the need for enforcement.