Global Affairs Canada reported that the Chinese government may be behind a "unwanted" disinformation campaign targeting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, and other MPs in August and September.

The ministry's rapid response mechanism, established to monitor efforts of state-sponsored disinformation, stated that the campaign is "linked to the People's Republic of China" and aims to mitigate criticism of the communist regime.

According to a report released this Monday morning, the propaganda campaign began in August and targeted dozens of MPs from various political spectrums.

The "spam" campaign uses a network of new or hacked social media accounts to disseminate propaganda messages across various platforms, such as Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, Reddit, and Medium.

Global Affairs Canada noted that the bot network gained momentum over the long weekend in September, leaving thousands of comments in both English and French on the social media accounts of MPs.

It added that the posts alleged that one critic of the Chinese Communist Party in Canada accused various MPs of committing criminal and ethical violations.

The ministry stated that the Chinese campaign also used what is likely manipulated "deepfake" videos.

The Global Affairs Canada report clarified that the operation's objective was twofold.

"First, it likely seeks to discredit the targeted MPs and tarnish their reputation through posts that appear organic, claiming misconduct, by flooding social media with posts and videos that cast doubt on the political and ethical standards of the MPs, using a prominent Chinese-speaking individual." the report said in Canada.

"Second, it likely aims to silence criticism directed at the Chinese Communist Party by urging MPs to distance themselves from critics and dissuading broader online communities from engaging with them."

Global Affairs Canada stated that the government will continue to monitor the situation and respond as necessary and appropriate, "including through public disclosure and diplomatic engagement."

It also mentioned that MPs have been advised on how to protect themselves from foreign interference.

Global Affairs added in a statement on Monday: "They have also been made clear that nothing observed in this activity poses a threat to their safety or the safety of their families."

The government stated that the same bot networks were involved in spreading misleading information claiming that the wildfires in Hawaii were caused by a secret U.S. military "weather weapon," and were linked to disinformation about Japan's decision in August 2023 to release millions of tons of treated radioactive water from the destroyed Fukushima nuclear power plant.

In August, the rapid response mechanism reported that a disinformation operation on the Chinese social media platform WeChat spread false information about Conservative MP Michael Chong. That campaign published false narratives about his identity, including comments and claims about his background, political stances, and family heritage.

At that time, the public customs authority indicated that China's role in the informational operation was "highly likely."

The Liberal government has faced pressure from the opposition to take foreign interference seriously following media reports about China's involvement in the 2019 and 2021 elections.

The government agreed to conduct a public inquiry into foreign interference in the elections and appointed Quebec Court of Appeal Justice Mary Josee Hogue to lead the inquiry.

It remains unclear at this point when the hearings will begin and how much of Hogue's work will be made public, given national security concerns.

Hogue has been tasked with examining the interference by China, Russia, and other foreign states and non-state actors in the 2019 and 2021 elections.

She is also expected to study how intelligence flows to decision-makers in the context of past elections. Hogue is required to provide an interim report by the end of February. The final report is scheduled for release by the end of 2024.