"Like-Minded Allies" Canada/China

"In the time of growing uncertainty and Trump's tariffs threatening our economy and our sovereignty, it's more important [than] ever to protect and strengthen partnership with key trading partners such as Europe and China."

"The blend of tradition and innovation is something that I admire. Deepening our partnership with like-minded allies such as China present opportunities for shared prosperity and supports Canadians' role as a constructive and engaged player in the global economy."

"[The] Chinese community needs a strong voice to fight for them."

Majid Jowhari, Liberal MP Richmond Hill South

Liberal candidate Majid Jowhari puts a lawn sign into the ground of a supporter in Richmond Hill in 2021. (Credit: National Post file)

The Richmond Hill riding outside and just north of the Greater Toronto area, is 32.6 percent Chinese-Canadian.Their Member of Parliament, Majid Jowhari has represented the riding since 2015, and ran to preserve his seat in the 2025 federal election, held yesterday. In a video posted the day before the vote, published by a Chinese-language media outlet, Jowhari described a need for Canada to deepen its trade ties with China, particularly at a time when Canada is under threat of steep tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. 

This Liberal was actually trumpeting the prevailing and longstanding line of thought of the Liberal Party executive, from past prime minister Jean Chretien, to recently-departed Justin Trudeau, and the freshly-re-elected new prime minister of Canada, former international banker Mark Carney, all of whom have vigorously pumped for trade relations with China. Despite China's reputation as a hawkish burglar of other nations' science, technology, military and business trade secrets and its well-recognized habit of infiltrating foreign countries at every level, engaged in cyber-theft and stealth sabotage.

 

The candidate boasted of his frequent visits to China, his campaign to advocate against anti-Asian racism and his work in Parliament to regularize relations between Canada and China. "The Liberal party needs a voice to help strengthen the partnership between Canada, Chinese-Canadians and China. I am Majid Jowhari and I can be that voice. Please vote for Majid Jowhari on April 28. Thank you", his campaign message concluded.

 

Canadian national security agencies consider China to represent the most serious and sophisticated threat actor against Canada. The federal election monitoring task force warned on two occasions during this election campaign that the People's Republic of China was in all likelihood behind influence campaigns in Canada. And it has proven to have been, for years. Members of the task force of the Security Intelligence Threats to Elections (SITE) on Monday revealed that the PRC appears to be behind a transnational repression operation to undermine a Toronto-area Conservative candidate who happens to be a vocal critic of the Chinese regime.

 

The electoral interference watchdog revealed that the PRC was behind an information manipulation campaign on WeChat to influence positive opinion of Liberal leader Mark Carney. Liberal candidates have been revealed for their proximity to individuals suspected of ties to the Chinese government. The head of two organizations the RCMP tagged with operating a  secret Chinese police station, was invited by a Montreal area Liberal candidate to attend an election gathering. The PRC produced a "wanted" poster of a Toronto-area Conservative candidate, Joe Tay.

 

Another Toronto-area Liberal candidate attended a massive by-invitation military parade and show of martial power in Beijing that saw Peter Yuen Liberal candidate in Markham-Unionville attend the event, invited by a Chinese agency dedicated to influence ethnic Chinese in foreign  countries. He had replaced Paul Chiang following confirmation by the RCMP it was investigating comments made to Chinese media relating to Tay, the  Conservative candidate. Suggesting the crowd at an event could claim a bounty by turning Tay over to the Chinese consulate in Toronto. 

As it happens, Chinese-Canadian voters in the swath just north of the Greater Toronto area took it in their hands to cross the wishes of the Chinese government, voting out the Liberal candidates and bringing in their Conservative alternatives, foiling the work of the Liberals to represent Chinese interests, and voting for the Conservative candidates, directly opposing the Chinese election interference in Canada's affairs.

 

Jowhari was challenged for the seat by Conservative candidate and corporate lawyer Vincent Ho. Tellingly, Jowhari was co-chair of Parliament's Canada-China legislative association, as an 'advocate for the local Chinese-Canadian community'. That community chose to replace Jowhari, and vote in his stead for Conservative Vincent Ho, the new Member of Parliament for Richmond Hill South. In fact, the entire region, rejected their Liberal candidates and but for two seats that remained Liberal, all others switched to the Conservatives, no friends of China.

 

Conservative Vincent Ho is the new MP for Richmond Hill South  Mike Adler/Metroland

"[The People's Republic of China is the] main perpetrator [of clandestine and illegal influence operations in Canada]." 

"The PRC uses a range of tolls, including Canada-based proxies. These tools include the monitoring of diaspora communities and transnational repression; activities meant to impact the outcome of Canadian democratic processes [including providing financial support to preferred candidates]; and clandestinely shaping narratives in support of PRC strategic interests."

"[The Chinese government also exerts significant control on the Chinese-language traditional and social media platforms and uses the influence to promote] pro-PRC narratives, spread disinformation and suppress anti-China content."

Foreign Interference enquiry head Marie-Josee Hogue