The Subcommittee on International Human Rights met to study the global impacts of transnational repression, hearing from Maria Cheung and Grace Wollensak of the Falun Dafa Association of Canada, Zaha Hassan of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Marcus Kolga of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, Peter Mattis of the Jamestown Foundation, Sherap Therchin of the Canada Tibet Committee, and Zumretay Arkin of the World Uyghur Congress.
Maria Cheung and Grace Wollensak described a sustained, coordinated campaign by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) against Falun Gong, including disinformation, surveillance, and a recent escalation of hoax bomb threats targeting Shen Yun performances in Canada and globally, with one threat mentioning Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mark Carney. They urged the government to publicly condemn the campaign, direct security agencies to investigate the threats as foreign interference, bring Bill C-70's provisions into force, and enact dedicated legislation criminalizing transnational repression, while also briefing venues on how to respond to hoax threats.
Zaha Hassan argued that the traditional definition of transnational repression is insufficient, as it overlooks repression by allied states like Israel, which has coordinated efforts to suppress pro-Palestinian dissent through anti-boycott laws, lawsuits, and the adoption of an expansive definition of anti-Semitism. She noted that these activities have led to cancelled courses, campus repression, and reputational harm against activists, undermining democratic debate.
Marcus Kolga, who is sanctioned by both China and Russia, testified that he faced a coordinated defamation campaign, death threats, and legal intimidation after exposing Russian influence operations, and that Canadian law enforcement initially provided little help. He recommended treating transnational repression as a national security threat, ending impunity for foreign authoritarians, and creating clearer reporting pathways and victim-centred responses, while urging support for Bill C-219.
Peter Mattis explained that the CCP's United Front system is a pervasive tool for political struggle, building bridges between the party and society through co-opting or controlling organizations to influence politicians, universities, and media, with the aim of undermining democratic integrity. He argued that Canada must have a conversation about how to channel engagement with China through organizations whose purpose is hostile, and that the foreign influence registration system should be enforced with consequences.
Sherap Therchin, one of 20 Canadians sanctioned by China, described the real-life consequences of being targeted, including phishing emails, malware, threatening online comments, and increased vigilance, which curtails his sense of freedom. He urged Canada to build solid guardrails in trade with China, including transparency in supply chains, an independent fact-finding mission, and reciprocal access to Tibet and East Turkestan, noting that some Tibetan-origin Canadians were denied entry to China after visa-free access was announced.
Zumretay Arkin detailed how China's transnational repression against Uyghurs includes online harassment, family hostage policies, and the case of Canadian citizen Huseyin Celil, detained since 2006, and noted that tactics have evolved to create fear and self-censorship within communities. She recommended expanding the mandate of the foreign influence transparency commissioner to address diaspora targeting, legislating a clear definition of transnational repression, establishing a safe reporting mechanism separate from national security agencies, and training law enforcement, while supporting Bill C-219.
During questions, Peter Mattis defended his report on United Front-linked organizations in Canada against criticism from a senator, arguing that the methodology is clear and that organizations collaborating with the CCP's propaganda system should be questioned. Marcus Kolga supported Bill C-219 for adding a clear definition of transnational repression and visa bans for perpetrators' family members, and later noted that Canada has not effectively used sanctions against Chinese officials. Zumretay Arkin highlighted positive European responses, such as Germany's TNR-focused desk and hotline for victims, and Sherap Therchin and others expressed concern that Canada's warming diplomatic relations with China, without raising the cases of sanctioned Canadians, could embolden repression. The committee also discussed the evolution of repression, the role of technology and surveillance, and the intersection of cognitive warfare with foreign interference, with Marcus Kolga advising Canadians to step back from social media and seek professional journalism.
AI-generated summary — may contain errors; verify against the official evidence.