Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Canada’s Federal Electoral Processes Democratic Institutions Releases its Final Report

On 28 January 2025 the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions (the Hogue Inquiry), released its Final Report. Shantona Chaudhury was Lead Counsel to the Commission.

The Commission examined Canada’s capacity to detect, deter and counter foreign interference in its electoral processes and democratic institutions, and allegations of foreign interference by China, Russia and other foreign states in the 2019 and 2021 Canadian federal elections.

The Commission conducted a 15-month investigation, reviewing over 47,000 documents, most of which were highly classified, and interviewing hundreds of witnesses. The Commission held 39 days of public hearings and 18 days of in camera hearings, at which it heard 106 witnesses, including the Prime Minister, Cabinet ministers, the Clerk of the Privy Council, the National Security and Intelligence Advisor, and other senior members of the federal public service.

The Commission’s Final Report issued 51 recommendations to the Government of Canada, which included enhanced transparency, improved communication within government, and strengthened safeguards against disinformation and foreign influence in political processes.

Read the Final Report here.