Beijing’s influence operations not only exert political influence during Canadian election campaigns, but also extends to “politicians, public servants, political actors, former parliamentarians, and diplomats,” according to a report (pdf) published in May. While influence operations orchestrated by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) happen federally in Canada, the regime’s political influence strategy is more often aimed at politicians at the provincial and municipal levels, the report, “In Plain Sight: Beijing’s Unrestricted Network of Foreign Influence in Canada” by Alliance Canada Hong Kong, noted. “Local politicians are less likely to be concerned with foreign affairs matters, which is seen as a primarily federal issue,” the report read, thus giving the CCP the opportunity to capitalize on this lack of awareness to execute their plans unbeknownst to political actors. For instance, the CCP incentivized political actors in provincial, territorial, and municipal levels with lucrative business deals and investment projects that benefit their local communities. …