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ETHI Committee Report

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List of Recommendations

As a result of their deliberations committees may make recommendations which they include in their reports for the consideration of the House of Commons or the Government. Recommendations related to this study are listed below.

Recommendation 1

That the Government of Canada improve the declassification system for historical records, as recommended in its report on the state of the access to information system published in June 2023, and establish and implement clearer classification guidelines for national security records.

Recommendation 2

That the Government of Canada amend the Access to Information Act to clarify that the access to information system is based on a culture of openness and transparency, and that it implement the other recommendations of the Committee in its report on the state of the access to information system published in June 2023.

Recommendation 3

That the Government of Canada direct increased and regular sharing of relevant information to the public by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service in order to increase national security literacy.

Recommendation 4

That the Government of Canada strengthen rules and penalties governing illicit disclosure of national security intelligence.

Recommendation 5

That the Government of Canada ensure that any legislative mechanisms developed to counter foreign interference take into account how they might affect individuals and communities already victimized or targeted by foreign interference in Canada, and that it include these communities in developing measures to counter the impacts of interference on them.

Recommendation 6

That the Government of Canada review and update Canada’s national security policy, and that the new policy outlines the rules allowing the Canadian Security Intelligence Service to directly warn federal Members of Parliament of threats related to foreign interference.

Recommendation 7

That the Government of Canada make full use of existing legislation, such as the Security of Information Act and other relevant Acts as enforcement resources and tools.

Recommendation 8

That the Government of Canada update its national security policy to include a policy on the threats caused by the use of artificial intelligence by foreign actors.

Recommendation 9

That the Government of Canada invest in Canada’s strategic digital literacy and capabilities and those of its national security agencies to improve the ability to detect and counter foreign interference activities conducted with artificial intelligence.

Recommendation 10

That the Government of Canada ensure that the Canadian Security Intelligence Service provide more training and information to Canadian parliamentarians and public servants on the threats posed by foreign interference in Canada, the various tactics used by foreign actors and the means to counter them.

Recommendation 11

That the Government of Canada establish a foreign interference awareness program for use by academic and research institutions.

Recommendation 12

That the Government of Canada, in collaboration with national security agencies, establish rigorous mechanisms to ensure that any contractual arrangements between Canada and foreign suppliers do not create high risk to national security.

Recommendation 13

That the Government of Canada work with minority-language communities affected by foreign interference activities in Canada to provide them reliable information on the Canadian democratic process, including information on government policies and programs that may affect them, in the language they understand best, and that the government engage with local and ethnic medias to provide that information.

Recommendation 14

That the Government of Canada include in the Criminal Code criminal penalties that cover all foreign interference operations, including harassment and intimidation by a foreign state, and that it provide appropriate sanctions.

Recommendation 15

That the Government of Canada clarify the purpose of the provisions of the Security of Information Act to counter foreign interference operations and its related sanctions, and that it implement a policy enabling Canadians to better understand how the Security of Information Act protects Canada from foreign interference.

Recommendation 16

That the Government of Canada hold online platforms accountable for publishing false or misleading information and that it develop policies to support the media ecosystem in communities and linguistic minority communities not represented by mainstream media to ensure that vulnerable communities are not revictimized.

Recommendation 17

That the Government of Canada, in collaboration with national security agencies, explore the possibility of imposing targeted sanctions against Canadian companies that are exporting or selling technology to countries that use it to engage in foreign interference operations.

Recommendation 18

That the Government of Canada establish a foreign influence registry as soon as possible

Recommendation 19

That the Government of Canada amend the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians Act to require that each annual report tabled before each House of Parliament include a yearly review of foreign interference threats in Canada, such as harassment and intimidation of certain Canadian communities by foreign states.

Recommendation 20

That the Government of Canada create a Cabinet committee on national security.

Recommendation 21

That the Government of Canada strengthen reporting mechanisms for victims of harassment or intimidation by foreign entities, to ensure better coordination of the government response to such incidents and appropriate actions on individual complaints.

Recommendation 22

That the Government of Canada consult communities affected by foreign interference activities in Canada in any inquiry into foreign interference.