A federal inquiry has found no evidence of 91裸聊视频渢raitors91裸聊视频� in Parliament conspiring with foreign states, dispelling suggestions to the contrary that alarmed the public.

In her final report released Tuesday, inquiry commissioner Marie-Jos茅e Hogue concludes that while the threat of foreign interference is real, Canada91裸聊视频檚 democratic institutions have held up well against the dangers.

Hogue said she saw no indication the overall results of recent federal elections were altered by a foreign actor and she identified only a small number of ridings where interference may have had some effect.

She praised the dedication and competence of many public servants, but also pointed to shortcomings in government efforts to fend off foreign meddling.

Hogue found that the government sometimes reacted too slowly and that information did not always flow properly to policy-makers.

The report makes more than four dozen recommendations to improve federal preparedness, foster transparency, shore up electoral integrity and counter threats against diaspora communities.

Hogue called on the Canadian Security Intelligence Service to clearly flag reports it views as particularly relevant for senior decision-makers.

She also urged Ottawa to develop a whole-of-government foreign interference strategy, encourage political party leaders to obtain top secret-level security clearances and consider creating a new agency to monitor online spaces for misinformation and disinformation.

91裸聊视频淚n my view it is no exaggeration to say that at this juncture, information manipulation (whether foreign or not) poses the single biggest risk to our democracy,91裸聊视频� the report says. 91裸聊视频淚t is an existential threat.91裸聊视频�

Hogue91裸聊视频檚 findings and advice come in the middle of a campaign for the federal Liberal leadership 91裸聊视频� and possibly just weeks before Canadians head to the polls in a national election.

The inquiry91裸聊视频檚 most recent public hearings looked at the ability of government agencies, officials and political parties to identify and counter foreign meddling. The commission also held a series of policy roundtables to help develop recommendations.

Hogue also drew on the work of other bodies, including two spy watchdogs.

In a late May report, the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency said CSIS and Public Safety Canada lacked a system for tracking who received and read specific intelligence on foreign interference, creating 91裸聊视频渦nacceptable gaps in accountability.91裸聊视频�

The following month, the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians raised eyebrows with a public version of a classified report that said some parliamentarians were 91裸聊视频渟emi-witting or witting91裸聊视频� participants in the efforts of foreign states to meddle in Canadian politics.

Although the NSICOP report didn91裸聊视频檛 name names, its stark assertion prompted fears that parliamentarians who knowingly engaged in interference might still be active in politics.

The commission of inquiry subsequently agreed to examine NSICOP91裸聊视频檚 findings.

Hogue said she uncovered no evidence of 91裸聊视频渢raitors91裸聊视频� in Parliament plotting with foreign states to act against Canada.

91裸聊视频淎lthough a few cases involving things like attempts to curry favour with parliamentarians have come to light, the phenomenon remains marginal and largely ineffective,91裸聊视频� the report says.

91裸聊视频淚 am not aware of any federal legislation, regulations or policies that have been enacted or repealed on account of foreign interference. While the states91裸聊视频� attempts are troubling and there is some concerning conduct by parliamentarians, there is no cause for widespread alarm.91裸聊视频�

Legislation passed last year bolstered Canada91裸聊视频檚 defences against foreign interference.

The federal legislation created offences for deceptive or surreptitious acts that undermine democratic processes, such as covertly influencing the outcome of a candidate nomination contest.

Another new offence outlaws deceptive or clandestine acts that harm Canadian interests 91裸聊视频� for instance, helping foreign agents posing as tourists to enter Canada.

A planned foreign influence transparency registry will require certain individuals to register with the federal government.

Given opposition parties91裸聊视频� determination to topple Justin Trudeau91裸聊视频檚 Liberal government as soon as possible, legislative changes to guard against foreign meddling appear unlikely before the next election.

But Hogue makes some recommendations that could be implemented without passing a bill.

Under the current federal system, a panel of five top bureaucrats would issue a public warning if they believed an incident 91裸聊视频� or an accumulation of incidents 91裸聊视频� threatened Canada91裸聊视频檚 ability to hold a free and fair election.

There was no such announcement concerning the 2019 or 2021 general elections.

Hogue recommends that the government consider amending the protocol to allow the panel of five to 91裸聊视频渢ake a less drastic measure than a public announcement in appropriate circumstances.91裸聊视频�

The Liberal government said in a statement it will carefully review Hogue91裸聊视频檚 recommendations. It pledged new funding to build resilience against online disinformation and to ensure the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer can 91裸聊视频減rotect against persistent threats to the electoral process.91裸聊视频�

The Conservatives said they would study the report91裸聊视频檚 recommendations and proposals 91裸聊视频渙n what can be done to protect our elections from foreign interference and hostile foreign states targeting Canada.91裸聊视频�

Parliament could make changes requiring legislation before the next general election if all parties can agree to pass measures through unanimous consent, said Green party Leader Elizabeth May.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said the next move is up to the Liberals.

91裸聊视频淭hey could take steps right now,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淚f the Liberals are serious about this, they should do it.91裸聊视频�

Members of diaspora communities in Canada told the inquiry how China, India, Iran and Russia make life extremely difficult for their families when they dare to question the regimes.

Hogue91裸聊视频檚 report says the commission91裸聊视频檚 work has shown that transnational repression is 91裸聊视频渁 genuine scourge91裸聊视频� that the government must address.

The foreign ministries of China and India have rejected claims they are behind any interference in Canada91裸聊视频檚 domestic affairs, and argue Ottawa is meddling in their own politics.

China91裸聊视频檚 embassy in Ottawa said the report 91裸聊视频渕ade groundless accusations and smears91裸聊视频� against Beijing. It also protested Canada91裸聊视频檚 statements on issues such as Taiwan, the Uyghurs and Hong Kong.

Ministries for other countries identified in the report as 91裸聊视频渢hreat actors targeting Canada91裸聊视频� 91裸聊视频� Russia, Iran and Pakistan 91裸聊视频� did not respond to requests for comment.