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Voices in Public Policy Lecture Series

Foreign interference in Canada’s democracy is a serious and increasingly complex threat that necessitates a multi-faceted policy response, but political actors are often hesitant to take on this project. This is largely because there is political risk in drawing public attention to the gaps in our democratic infrastructure that make us vulnerable to the tactics of bad actors. If we were to truly fortify ourselves against foreign interference by state actors and their proxies, this would require political parties to examine and reform the ways in which they sign up members, nominate candidates, and elect leaders. Without significant pressure on political leaders from actors in the foreign interference policy space, including security experts, democracy advocates, academics, and members of the public, they are unlikely to make real change. This could mean that we become even more vulnerable to foreign interference over time, particularly in light of the risks associated with disinformation, polarization, and artificial intelligence.

DR. LORI TURNBULL is a Professor in the Faculty of Management at Dalhousie University and a senior advisor at the Institute on Governance. Her teaching, research, and public commentary focus on parliamentary politics and government, public policy, public sector ethics, and democratic reform.