Statement from Commissioner Boegman on the foreign influence registry

September 16, 2026 – Ottawa, Ontario 

Today, Anton Boegman, Foreign Influence Transparency Commissioner of Canada, issued the following statement:

“On August 4, 2026, I was formally appointed as Canada's inaugural Foreign Influence Transparency Commissioner. In this role, I independently administer and enforce the Foreign Influence Transparency and Accountability Act  and its regulations.

One of the Act’s key objectives is to promote transparency around certain foreign influence activities in Canada. To support this objective, I am pleased to announce that, earlier this week, the first arrangements were made available through the public registry of foreign influence activities. Additional arrangements will continue to be published following the completion of the validation process.  

The Act requires individuals or organizations to provide information to my Office when they enter into an arrangement under the direction of, or in association with, a foreign principal involving activities intended to influence Canadian political or governmental processes. They must register within 14 days of entering into an arrangement. If the arrangement existed before August 4, 2026, they have until October 3, 2026, to submit their registration.

The registry makes this information openly available so that Canadians can better understand who may be seeking to influence Canada's civic and democratic institutions and processes, and how.  Providing Canadians with accessible information about certain foreign influence activities promotes openness, and helps strengthen confidence in Canada's democratic institutions and processes.”