Thoughts on BC Politics and More

The People’s Republic of China, which is “intently focused on ensuring the survival of the Chinese Communist Party,” is Canada’s biggest counter-intelligence threat, according to a June 18-published report by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS). It says China has targeted all levels of government, Canadian citizens and Chinese communities, via the United Front Work Department, its primary foreign interference arm. CSIS said China is involved in recruiting people to spy on Canadians, while employing “deceptive and clandestine means” to influence policy-making, non-governmental organizations, media and academia. Its goal is to further China’s interests, hide the CCP’s intentions and weaken Canada’s democracy and institutions ... CLICK HERE for the full story

Prime Minister Mark Carney pulled off a successful performance hosting the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alta., say some world leaders and foreign policy experts commenting on his perceived pragmatism and savviness. Fen Osler Hampson, international affairs professor at Carleton University, said Carney guided the G7 “through the diplomatic Rockies,” navigating “shifting weather” on the global front and avoiding “avalanches and treacherous cliffs.” This year’s summit took place amid escalating violence between Israel and Iran, which pushed U.S. President Donald Trump to leave Alberta a day early. On Monday, G7 leaders published a statement affirming that Israel “has a right to defend itself” and that Iran “can never have a nuclear weapon" ... CLICK HERE for the full story

BC Conservatives are shining a light on BC NDP Premier David Eby’s failures on external and interprovincial trade as he heads on a 10-day damage control junket to Asia. Hot off ramming through Bills 14 and 15, the Premier is doing whatever he can to distract from his dismal economic record. “This Premier has not done anything to advance BC’s trade agenda. If anything, he has worked to substantially erode any progress BC made,” said Teresa Wat, MLA for Richmond-Bridgeport and Official Opposition Critic for Trade. “If this BC NDP government had not shut down 13 freestanding trade offices, we would not have to play catch-up when we are facing constant threats of increased US tariffs.” In 2019, the BC NDP government shut down 13 independent trade offices in China, Japan, India, South Korea, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Singapore. Doing so meant folding up offices, cutting staff, and folding the work of these trade offices into existing Canadian embassies.   "The result of this ...

. . . Ottawa's success in achieving the goals of its Indo-Pacific Strategy hinges not only on its dealings with China and India but, given its middle-power status, on its ability to achieve its strategic objectives through partnerships with smaller developing nations in the region. Canada needs these countries as active partners for its own interests, rather than viewing them as undemocratic adversaries, if it intends to establish a tangible influence in the Indo-Pacific . . .  CLICK HERE for the full story

Government of India agents appear to have interfered in the Conservative’s 2022 leadership race by purchasing memberships for one candidate while undermining another, and also boasted of funding “a number of politicians at all levels of government,” according to CSIS. The allegations come from an October 2022 CSIS Intelligence Assessment that details sweeping election interference operations from hostile states including China and India ... CLICK HERE for the full story  

  It certainly wasn't the first time a government was accused of orchestrating a killing on foreign soil, but observers around the world were nonetheless shocked by Prime Minister's Justin Trudeau's allegation on Monday that India's leaders had a hand in killing a Canadian citizen earlier this year in B.C. India has strongly denied any connection to the killing of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who had been labelled a terrorist by New Delhi over his support of an independent Khalistani state. Such killings are usually pinned on the likes of Saudi Arabia or Russia. But extra-territorial assassinations aren't just for rogue states and can sometimes even be justified under international law. Sometimes ... CLICK HERE for the full CBC News story

Elevator Chat: Episode 22 (Duration: 9 minutes)     Some responses to my articles about PM Trudeau’s disastrous trip to India for the G20 summit show fundamental defects in what many Canadians believe our foreign policy should be based on. CLICK HERE for the full audio commentary     *** Independent voices are more important than ever in today’s Canada. I am happy to add my voice to the public discussions on current issues & policy, and grateful for all the encouraging response from my listeners & readers. I do not believe in a Paywall model, so will not make access to my content subject to a payment. To help me bring more content to you, please consider donating a small amount via this PayPal link on my website: https://darshanmaharaja.ca/donate/