A Toronto-area Conservative candidate has been the target of a “transnational repression operation” meant to discredit their political run and silence criticism, security officials are warning.
At a weekly briefing, members of the Security and Intelligence Threats to Elections (SITE) task force told reporters the target of the campaign is the Conservative candidate for Don Valley North, Joe Tay. The campaign includes posts on multiple social media platforms, including Facebook, WeChat, TikTok, ReNote and the sister app of TikTok for the Chinese market, Douyin.
According to Laurie-Anne Kempton, Privy Council Office (PCO) assistant secretary to cabinet communications and consultations, the campaign includes the “inauthentic and co-ordinated amplification” of content related to a bounty and arrest warrant placed on Tay by Hong Kong in 2024, as well as content related to his competence for political office.
“This content includes a mock wanted poster featuring Mr. Tay as well as disparaging headlines and comments,” Kempton said, adding that there have also been “deliberate efforts” to suppress new content about Tay written in Chinese.
A “cleared representative of the Conservative Party” has been briefed about the operation on two occasions during the campaign, officials said, and social media platforms have been informed of SITE’s findings.
Kempton says at least one Facebook account related to the operation is historically connected to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and pro-PRC entities in Hong Kong.
Saying that, Kempton says the operation is “not affecting Canada’s ability to have a free and fair election, including in this riding.”
Officials noted the content has not generated high levels of engagement, and they are issuing the warning due to the increased number of social platforms sharing the content. They also noted that there have been no other instances of digital transnational repression observed in other ridings.
Last month Tay’s name was in the headlines after Liberal candidate Paul Chiang was forced to apologize for suggesting at a Chinese-language media conference that voters turn Tay into the Chinese consulate. Chiang withdrew as a candidate, making room for former Toronto Deputy Chief of Police Peter Yuen to run.
Officials said they are not aware of any evidence showing these comments amplified the operation.
SITE officials reiterated that there are safeguards in place to ensure everyone’s election vote is secret and secure.
