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Rapid Response Mechanism: Global Affairs Canada

Countering foreign interference is a whole-of-government effort and requires collaboration with various international and domestic partners, including other states, industry, civil society organizations, and the media. Global Affairs Canada’s most salient efforts to counter foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) include Rapid Response Mechanism Canada (RRM Canada).

RRM Canada tracks foreign information threats that are detrimental to the interests of Canada. These interests include:

To do so, RRM Canada monitors the digital environment for foreign information threats and leads the Government of Canada’s international response to foreign threats to democracies, including FIMI and transnational repression (TNR), as permanent chair of the G7 Rapid Response Mechanism (G7 RRM). It also supports safeguarding Canada’s federal electoral processes as member of the Security and Intelligence Threats to Elections (SITE) Task Force.

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RRM Canada: Monitoring the digital information environment

Located at Global Affairs Canada, Rapid Response Mechanism Canada (RRM Canada) monitors the digital information environment for foreign information threats detrimental to Canadian interests. Since its inception in 2018, RRM Canada has incrementally built a multilingual open-source research and analysis monitoring and detection expertise across over 25 online platforms.

RRM Canada has significant expertise in:

Recent publications

G7 RRM: Driving multilateral cooperation to counter FIMI

RRM Canada houses the permanent secretariat to the G7 Rapid Response Mechanism (G7 RRM). The G7 RRM was established by Leaders at the 2018 G7 Summit in Charlevoix. The mechanism includes all G7 members, including the European Union, and six associate members (Australia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, Poland, and NATO’s Public Diplomacy Division). The G7 RRM collectively leverages open-source research, analysis, and data science capabilities to drive multilateral cooperation to counter foreign threats to democracies, including FIMI and TNR.

G7 RRM annual reports

During the 2021 G7 Foreign and Development Ministers meeting in London, U.K., Foreign Ministers committed the G7 RRM to producing annual thematic reports. The reports highlight the work of the G7 RRM.  

Recent publications

SITE Task Force: Safeguarding Canada’s elections

RRM Canada also bolsters Canada’s electoral integrity as part of the Security Intelligence Threats to Elections (SITE) Task Force. The SITE Task Force is a whole-of-government working group that coordinates the Government of Canada’s collection and analysis efforts concerning threats to Canada’s federal election processes, such as federal general elections, by-elections and leadership campaigns of recognized parties by the House of Commons.

Recent publications

Key terms

Foreign interference

Foreign interference is deliberate manipulative activity undertaken by a foreign state to advance its interests, often their own strategic objectives to the detriment of Canada's national interests. It is distinct from normal diplomatic conduct or acceptable foreign state lobbying; it is purposely malign and deceptive.

Foreign interference poses one of the greatest threats to Canada's national security, our way of life, and our economic prosperity and sovereignty. Emerging sectors, such as scientific research partnerships and economic collaboration, are possible vectors for interference by foreign actors. These activities can be of particular interest to foreign actors because of their role in contributing to scientific development and new technology.

Foreign information manipulation and interference

Foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) is a form of foreign interference. It refers to the intentional and coordinated efforts by state or non-state actors in order to alter information to achieve political, security, or other strategic objectives.

Malign foreign actors attack the integrity of information by exploiting state-controlled information channels, social media and other digital platforms, and manipulating emerging technologies such as generative artificial intelligence (AI). As demonstrated by the findings in the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference report, FIMI destabilizes national and international security.

Transnational repression

Transnational repression (TNR) takes place when foreign governments reach beyond their state borders to advance their interests or silence criticism and dissent using intimidation, threats or violence. TNR activities can also take place online, known as digital transnational repression (DTNR).

TNR activities typically target diasporas, political dissidents, human rights and democracy defenders, and religious and ethnic minority groups. However, TNR also affects the people and organizations that defend these targets.

Other resources

Government of Canada

Others

G7 RRM partners

Latest news

In addition to the publications listed above, here are additional news items.

Statement by Minister Anand and Minister Anandasangaree on Hong Kong arrest warrants
[2025-07-26 12:00]

Canada targeted in a new Chinese transnational repression campaign linked to ‘Spamouflage’
[2025-03-06 12:00]

Rapid Response Mechanism Canada detects information operation targeting a candidate for the leadership campaign of the Liberal Party of Canada
[2025-02-06 12:00]

All news

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