A Canadian government task force responsible for monitoring foreign interference in elections has disclosed that Chinese state-affiliated social media posts were amplifying messages in support of unelected leftist Prime Minister Mark Carney.
The messages appeared on a WeChat news account called “Youli-Youmian,” which the Security and Intelligence Threats to Elections (SITE) Task Force has linked to the Chinese Communist Party.
“The SITE Task Force observed large spikes of coordinated inauthentic behavior preceding the election campaign, on March 10, and again during the writ period on March 25, 2025,” the agency stated.
Although the posts were clearly promoting political messages and targeting Chinese Canadian voter groups SITE said, “at this time, the Panel has determined that this activity is not affecting Canada’s ability to have a free and fair election. This case is contained to one platform and has not spread further, nor is it affecting Canadians’ abilities to make an informed decision about their vote.”
Other officials also downplayed the incident. In an interview with the National Post, former national security analyst Stephanie Carvin said the posts didn’t amount to a “full-throated endorsement” of Carney.
“It could be that they’re trying to support Carney. It could be that they’re just testing the waters,” Carvin said. “And then the third thing could be that this is something that they felt sent a message that perhaps is just not clear to us.”
Canada is set to hold a general election on April 28 to replace longtime liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who resigned in January. The Liberal Party quickly appointed Carney in March, a longtime finance professional with no prior political background. Carney’s main opponent is Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, who is focusing his campaign on lowering taxes and easing the cost of living.
Poilievre has offered limited comments on the scandal, but Conservative shadow foreign minister Michael Chong issued a statement on Monday, accusing China of trying to secure a Carney victory.
“Make no mistake, the Communist Party in Beijing is engaging in a sophisticated campaign to interfere in Canada’s election with the aim of re-electing Mark Carney and the Liberals to a fourth term,” Chong stated. “The next Government of Canada should be chosen by Canadians and Canadians alone.”
“They know that the Liberals have stood by as Beijing interfered in our democracy, targeted and harassed our citizens, and threatened Canada’s interests at home and abroad,” Chong said, adding that Poilievre “would put an end to foreign interference in our country.”
The news is especially concerning as back in January, before Carney took over the party’s leadership, Poilievre was ahead by more than 20 points in the polls for election, but then the public opinion got turned around. Carney’s Liberals are currently leading in most major national polls. According to the CBC’s polling average on Tuesday, April 8th, the Liberals hold 44% support compared to 36.9% for the Conservatives.
