CSIS says it is assessing potential foreign-interference threats related to Alberta's referendum.
Claimed by: Letter from CSIS director Dan Rogers to Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi, July 27, 2026
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Summary
In a July 27, 2026 letter responding to Naheed Nenshi, CSIS director Dan Rogers wrote that the agency will continue to investigate foreign interference in Canada's democracy, including in connection with Alberta's October 19 referendum. Rogers said democratic events such as the upcoming referendum could create conditions foreign actors seek to exploit through mis- and disinformation. CBC reported that the full letter also describes CSIS monitoring potential threats, engaging with provincial, territorial, municipal, and Indigenous partners, providing relevant threat information to election bodies where appropriate, and maintaining ongoing engagement with Alberta authorities. CSIS confirmed it sent the letter and noted its mandate excludes lawful protest, dissent, and political advocacy. The letter does not assert that foreign interference has already occurred in this referendum, nor does it conclude the provincial government has failed to protect the process; Nenshi argued otherwise when releasing it. Assessing and investigating threats under CSIS's mandate is not proof that a foreign actor is actively interfering.
Evidence
In a July 27, 2026 letter to Nenshi, CSIS director Dan Rogers wrote that the agency will investigate threats of foreign states attempting to interfere with Canadian democratic processes, including the October referendum, and that democratic events could create conditions foreign actors seek to exploit through mis- and disinformation.
CSIS confirmed it sent the letter and said it investigates threats under the CSIS Act, which specifically excludes lawful protest and dissent; its mandate includes foreign interference among the national security threats in section 2.
After Nenshi posted the full unredacted letter, reporting noted it also states CSIS monitors potential threats, engages with provincial and election partners, and maintains ongoing engagement with Alberta authorities; the letter does not allege the provincial government failed to protect referendum integrity.