Canada condemns Russia’s alleged attempts to interfere in the US presidential election through disinformation campaigns, a day after the Biden administration took a series of actions against the Kremlin.
The U.S. Justice Department on Wednesday announced multiple actions aimed at targeting Russia for its alleged interference in the November election, including unsealing criminal charges against two employees of the state-run media company RT as well as seizing internet domains that officials say are used by the Kremlin to spread disinformation.
In a statement Thursday, Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc said the Canadian government had been working with the United States and other allies “on this serious matter,” though he could not comment on the ongoing investigation.
“I also condemn in the strongest terms the attempts by the Russian state media outlet RT to spread disinformation, influence election results, undermine democracy and the rules-based international order, and engage in information operations and cyber incidents against Western targets,” he said.
The U.S. measures, which also include sanctions and visa restrictions, are the latest efforts to disrupt what has been seen as a persistent threat from Russia that officials have warned has the potential to sow discord and create confusion among voters.
Washington has said Moscow remains the main threat to the election.
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One of the criminal cases accuses two RT employees of covertly funding a Tennessee-based content creation company with nearly $10 million to post English-language videos on platforms like TikTok and YouTube with messages that favored the interests and agenda of the Russian government.
The company, which the United States did not identify, did not disclose that it was allegedly funded by RT or that it was registered, as required by law, as an agent of a foreign entity.
The United States also seized 32 Internet domains that authorities say were used by the Kremlin to spread propaganda and undermine global support for Ukraine.
LeBlanc said Canada and its allies were united in confronting Russian aggression and subversion against democratic societies and would not hesitate to take necessary action.
Any Canadian who illegally assists Russia in its attempts to use disinformation, criminal and covert activities, and corruption to undermine the country’s sovereignty and democratic processes “will face the full weight of Canadian law,” he said.
He also highlighted measures taken by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission in 2022, including the removal of RT and RT France from the list of non-Canadian channels and stations that can be distributed in Canada.
— with files from The Associated Press
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