Canadian Inquiry Finds No Conclusive Foreign State Involvement in Activist's Death

Report indicates absence of definitive evidence linking foreign state actors to Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing

A Canadian public inquiry into foreign interference in the nation's electoral processes has concluded that there is no definitive evidence linking any foreign state to the June 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and Sikh activist.

The report, led by Commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue, emphasized that while disinformation campaigns are often employed by foreign entities to retaliate against unfavorable decisions, in this case, no conclusive connection to a foreign state was established.

Nijjar was fatally shot outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18, 2023. Following the incident, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged potential involvement of Indian agents in the killing, citing credible information shared with intelligence partners, including the United States.

In response, India dismissed the allegations and recalled its high commissioner, while Canada expelled several Indian diplomats.

The inquiry's final report, titled 'Public Inquiry Into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions,' noted that disinformation is frequently used as a tactic by foreign states to punish actions contrary to their interests.

However, regarding Nijjar's death, the report stated, 'This may have been the case with a disinformation campaign that followed the Prime Minister's announcement regarding suspected Indian involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar (though again no definitive link to a foreign state could be proven).'

The 123-page document also addressed concerns about foreign interference in Canada's democratic institutions, identifying China as the 'most persistent and sophisticated' threat, with India noted as the second most active.

The report made 51 recommendations to bolster Canada's defenses against foreign interference, including enhancing federal preparedness, strengthening electoral integrity, and countering threats against diaspora communities.

The involved organizations have 56 days to respond to the inquiry's recommendations.