Michael Cooper, a Conservative MP, has criticized Canada's new foreign influence registry, describing it as significantly ineffective and disorganized. In a recent statement, he noted that the registry has experienced low registration rates, privacy concerns, and IT outages. Cooper is advocating for Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree to appear before a parliamentary committee to address these issues and provide clarity on the government's plans to enhance the registry.
The foreign influence registry was established to track foreign agents operating within Canada in order to mitigate risks associated with foreign interference. However, Cooper's remarks highlight ongoing challenges faced by the registry since its inception. One significant point of concern is the reported low registration number, with only 30 entities having registered so far.
In response to these criticisms, the foreign influence commissioner suggested that increased awareness could lead to higher registration rates moving forward. The commissioner has been proactive in reaching out to various groups, including those identified as separatist entities in Alberta, to encourage compliance with the registry requirements. The government has yet to publicly respond to Cooper's call for the minister's testimony, and how they intend to address the highlighted problems remains to be seen.
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