Mandate: About the Office of the Foreign Influence Commissioner of Canada
On this page
- About the Office
- Why the Office was created
- Our principles
- Our role in Canada's democratic safeguards
About the Office
The Office supports the Commissioner in administering the Foreign Influence Transparency and Accountability Act and its associated regulations.
This includes:
- collecting information from people about their foreign influence activities in Canada
- reporting these activities in a public registry
- providing guidance to people and organizations regarding their registration obligations
- promoting awareness and understanding of transparency requirements
- verifying and upholding compliance with legislative requirements
Why the Office was created
The Office was established to advance transparency on foreign influence activities that relate to public decision-making in Canada. We contribute to strengthening public trust in Canada's democratic institutions by supporting their integrity.
The Office is responsible for administering Canada's foreign influence transparency system. Foreign influence transparency, the creation of the Act, and the establishment of the Office are the result of a broader national conversation about protecting democratic institutions and strengthening public trust.
Our principles
We are guided by a set of core principles that shape how we carry out our mandate, administer the Act, and interact with Canadians.
Independence
The Commissioner is independent and administers the mandate free from political direction. Independence allows these functions to be exercised impartially, in a non-partisan manner, and in accordance with the law.
Fairness and Integrity
We apply the Act consistently, objectively, and in line with legislative requirements and charter values. Our decisions are grounded in clear criteria, standard procedures and regulations and the rule of law.
Accessibility
Our guidance, processes, and registration requirements are designed to be clear, understandable, and easy to navigate. We are committed to providing practical and timely information, as well as responsive support to stakeholders seeking to understand their obligations.
Transparency
We promote openness in foreign influence activities that fall within the scope of the Act. The public registry provides accessible information about who is working with foreign principals to influence government decisions in Canada. Transparency supports informed public discussions and strengthens democratic accountability.
Our role in Canada's democratic safeguards
Canada is often targeted by foreign states, or those acting on their behalf, seeking to advance their own strategic objectives.
In some cases, foreign entities, including foreign states, seek to influence Canada through various means, such as lobbying, in areas like political dialogue, trade negotiations, and policy decisions. When these activities are conducted openly and transparently, they are considered legitimate foreign influence activities and are appropriate international diplomacy.
Our role is to enhance transparency around foreign influence activities in Canada, which is separate from the foreign interference mandates of national security, intelligence, or law enforcement agencies.
Foreign interference is different from foreign influence. Foreign interference is when foreign states, or those acting on their behalf, undertake activities to advance their own strategic objectives to the detriment of Canada's national interests. These activities can be covert, deceptive, threatening or illegal.
Federal Government Agencies that deal with Foreign Interference
Canadian Security Intelligence Service
- Espionage and Foreign Interference - Canada.ca
- Cyber Threats to Canada's Democratic Process: 2025 Update - Canadian Centre for Cyber Security