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Democratic Institutions

During question period on democratic institutions, Conservatives questioned the government about the foreign influence transparency registry, saying the registration deadline had passed with only about 30 of an estimated 2,400 required individuals and entities registered, and asking how the law would be enforced. One member also asked about the government holding national defence discussions with China, which was identified as a security threat for election interference, and cited the Information Commissioner’s concerns about the government withholding records. The Liberal minister responded that the foreign influence transparency office is fully operational under its commissioner, that registering is the law and those who fail to comply face consequences, and that the Prime Minister’s travel abroad is bringing business investment to Canada. He also said protecting democracy is a shared responsibility of all members.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

8 statements

Michael Cooper

Conservative
“The foreign influence registry is failing. Only 30 out of an expected 2,400 people have signed up, and the deadline has passed. I want the minister to explain this.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government’s foreign influence registry is in shambles. The deadline to register has passed. This week, the commissioner revealed that only 30 persons or entities have registered, despite an estimated 2,400 that are required to do so, according to Public Safety Canada. That is a pathetic 1% compliance rate. How does the minister explain that?

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Gary Anandasangaree

Liberal
“Our new office to track foreign influence is now fully open and working. It will hold people accountable if they try to influence Canada for other countries. This protects our democracy.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 45 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, Canada now has an office dedicated to increasing transparency around foreign influence activities. The office is now fully operational, with Mr. Boegman being at the helm. This is a major step for Canada. The registry will be a tool to hold individuals and entities accountable for conduct of influence on behalf of foreign entities. It will provide more transparency for Canadians, and it is a testament to the principles of protecting Canadians, defending our democracy and upholding the rule of law.

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Michael Cooper

Conservative

Linked statement

“The foreign influence registry is failing, with only one percent following the rules after two and a half years. Canadians have a right to know who is working for foreign governments. I want the minister to tell us how he will enforce this law.”

  • A repeated line

    “The Liberals are all talk and no results.”

    Said 13 times by 12 members since September 21.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, again, the Liberals are all talk and no results. They have had two and a half years to get the registry up and running, and there is a pathetic 1% compliance rate. Canadians deserve to know who is influencing elected officials and other public office-holders on behalf of foreign governments. Compliance is not optional. It is the law. What exactly is the minister doing to enforce the law?

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Gary Anandasangaree

Liberal
“People must follow the foreign influence registry. It is the law. The registry is ready, and people are signing up now. Anyone who refuses will face legal consequences.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 100 of 100

    Of this answer, 100% addressed the question that was asked.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I share the member opposite’s assertion that compliance is not optional. It is the law. That is exactly what we have set up. Mr. Boegman is seized with establishing the registry, which is already done. He is in the process of registering and onboarding those who are required to register, and those who do not comply will face the full consequences of the law.

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Gabriel Hardy

Conservative
“China interfered in our elections, but the government is still talking with them about national defence. A report says over 2,400 foreign agents are working here, but only 30 have registered. Who is protecting our democracy while the Prime Minister travels abroad?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is travelling around the world. He is going to Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and China. In 2025, China was recognized as a threat to national security because it interfered in our elections. Today, the government is discussing national defence with the Chinese government. Meanwhile, the foreign influence transparency commissioner reports that there are 2,422 foreign influence agents here in Canada. How many of them have registered? Only 30. Can the Prime Minister tell us who is taking care of defending and protecting the integrity of Canada’s democracy while he is off travelling the globe?

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Gary Anandasangaree

Liberal
“The Prime Minister travels to bring record business investments to Canada. Also, our foreign influence registry is on track to sign up everyone who is required to register.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, our Prime Minister has been engaging many world leaders and has been ensuring that business investments come into Canada, investments that this country critically needs. It is a testament to his leadership that we have been able to expand them and have a level of investments that we have never seen in Canada before. With respect to the integrity of our electoral system and the protection of Canadians, the transparency registry is on target. It will continue to register and onboard those who are required to register.

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Gabriel Hardy

Conservative
“Parliament's watchdogs are warning us about this government. The Information Commissioner says the government hides records, and almost no foreign agents have registered under our new law. The world is dangerous. I want to know if the government takes protecting our democracy seriously.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the independent officers of Parliament are all sounding the alarm, one after the other. The Information Commissioner of Canada recently wrote to the Senate to warn it that the Liberal government is concealing more and more records and shunning transparency. This week, we learned from the foreign influence transparency commissioner that just 1% of foreign agents have registered in the two years since the law was passed. Yesterday, the Prime Minister asked us to give him a break because he just got here. Are the Liberals not interested in protecting Canada’s democracy in a world that has never been so divided and dangerous?

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Gary Anandasangaree

Liberal
“Protecting Canada's democracy is our shared job. Our system works. The commissioner is making sure people register, and we have laws to punish those who do not.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Clarity 37 of 100

    Much of this statement used imprecise wording, lacked details on timing or responsibility, or made broad claims without support.

    See full analysis

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 100 of 100

    Of this answer, 100% addressed the question that was asked.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, protecting Canada’s democracy is our collective responsibility in this House. I can assure the member opposite that we have a system that is working. We have a commissioner who is engaged and who is working to ensure that those who are required to register will register. If people do not comply, we have laws in place to hold them accountable.

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