THE World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) on Tuesday called on the Canadian government to disclose the names of federal politicians who are collaborating with foreign governments.

The WSO called for immediate action following alarming revelations that some federal politicians are collaborating with foreign governments, including India and China, to advance their own interests. The findings were detailed in a report by the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) released on Monday.

The NSICOP reiterates earlier findings that India is the second-most significant foreign interference threat to Canada after China.  India was identified as “primary perpetrator” of transnational repression against ethnocultural communities in Canada.  

In September 2023, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau rose in the House of Commons to accuse agents of the Government of India of being involved in the assassination of Sikh leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey.  

Other examples of Indian interference in Canada noted in the NSICOP report include:

• Indian interference through media manipulation, specifically efforts to discredit a political party leader using materials drafted by Indian intelligence;
• Indian financial support to candidates from two parties;
• MPs working to influence colleagues on India’s behalf and providing confidential information to Indian officials;
• The existence of an “active proxy” who has looked for ways to further India’s interests by attempting to influence politicians and building a network including journalists, MPs and community members;
• Indian proxy having repeatedly transferred funds from India to politicians at all levels in return for political favours, including raising issues in Parliament at the proxy’s request;
• Indian interference in the Conservative Party of Canada leadership race.

WSO President, Danish Singh, said: “Once again, India has come to the forefront as a key foreign interference threat to Canada.  Allegations that Canadian MPs are working on behalf of India to influence colleagues and receive payments from India to raise issues in parliament are shocking. The Canadian public deserves to know which of their representatives are compromising our democracy by engaging with foreign governments.”

He added: “These actions not only breach the trust of Canadian citizens but also endanger national security. We urge the RCMP and other security agencies to investigate these allegations thoroughly and for the government to provide full disclosure to the public. We need transparency and rigorous enforcement of our laws to protect our democratic institutions.”

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