Canadian intelligence officials have issued a serious warning ahead of the country’s federal election, stating that foreign powers, especially China, are likely to launch sophisticated cyberattacks using artificial intelligence (AI). These operations aim to disrupt Canada’s democratic process and target politicians and political parties in the coming weeks.
The alert was delivered Monday by the Security and Intelligence Threats to Elections (SITE) Task Force. The task force said it expects interference from China, Russia, and Iran through tactics such as “hack-and-leak” operations, deepfakes, and AI-generated phishing attacks.
AI Boosts Threat of Cyberattacks
“Canadian politicians and political parties are likely to be targeted by threat actors attempting to hack into their systems, steal information, and leak that information,” said an official from the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, part of the Communications Security Establishment.
The use of AI has made social engineering more advanced. Officials explained that cyber attackers now use generative AI to write emails that sound like real people. These messages often trick even experienced professionals—including campaign staff and journalists—into clicking dangerous links or revealing sensitive data.
Foreign Interference Mirrors Global Patterns
SITE officials pointed to a 2024 case in the United States where the Department of Justice charged Iranian-linked hackers with stealing campaign materials. Those materials were then shared with political rivals. According to SITE, this mirrors the evolving tactics being used worldwide.
“Increasingly, nation states are incorporating AI into their cyber operations,” SITE stated in its briefing. AI tools are now capable of creating lifelike audio, video, and even written content that impersonates public figures. These so-called deepfakes can easily mislead voters and cause confusion during the election cycle.
China Leads in Targeting Canadian Politics
According to SITE, the biggest long-term threat to Canada’s democratic system is from China. Officials explained that China has repeatedly targeted Canadian politicians, public servants, and government networks to gather intelligence and influence public opinion.
“The PRC [People’s Republic of China] regularly targets Canadian government networks and public officials to acquire information that will advance its strategic economic and diplomatic interests,” a SITE official said.
SITE linked these actions to wider campaigns of transnational repression. Chinese cyber actors have previously targeted Uyghur activists, Hong Kong dissidents, and journalists based in Canada. Common methods include phishing emails, spyware, and online tracking.
Russia and Iran Among Most Aggressive Actors
SITE named Russia and Iran as other major threats. Russian-backed groups have launched widespread disinformation campaigns across the globe. These campaigns are designed to sway public opinion and erode trust in democratic institutions.
“Russia and pro-Russian non-state actors have been the most aggressive over the past two years,” SITE said, adding that they combine hacking with fake news and misleading narratives to influence election results.
Real-Time Monitoring and Public Alerts
To counter these threats, the SITE Task Force said it is actively monitoring cyber activities and online content. If it detects specific foreign interference attempts, it will issue public warnings.
However, officials also noted that the lines are becoming harder to draw. Foreign and domestic actors sometimes work together, making it difficult to pinpoint who is behind a specific campaign. “The environment is rapidly evolving,” said a SITE official. “We are asking everyone—from political parties to everyday voters—to stay alert and cautious.”
Chinese-Language Campaign Raises Concerns
Two weeks ago, SITE uncovered an information campaign linked to China on Chinese-language social media in Canada. Posts on WeChat from the account Youli-Youmian portrayed Canadian political figure Mark Carney in a highly favorable light. One post described Carney as a “tough guy” standing up to U.S. tariffs—a message that mirrored past propaganda efforts.
At Monday’s briefing, SITE was asked if it would investigate Carney’s campaign for possible domestic interference. A SITE spokesperson responded: “National security agencies take any attempt to undermine our democracy seriously… Not all disinformation is foreign-backed… but SITE is committed to informing Canadians when emerging issues can be linked to foreign state actors.”
How Canadians Can Protect Themselves
Alongside the briefing, SITE released a visual guide to help Canadians recognize election disinformation. The guide encourages citizens to:
- Check domain names for authenticity
- Look for odd design elements in suspicious websites or posts
- Be cautious with viral content, especially if it lacks a reliable source
- Verify claims using fact-checking tools
- Avoid sharing unverified content on social media
As Canada moves closer to the 2025 federal election, experts are urging all voters to remain aware of the growing use of AI and foreign interference in online spaces.
