The Canadian Police Knowledge Network (CPKN) welcomed the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s (RCMP) Foreign Actor Interference Team to host its latest Network Webinar Series on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.
The webinar, titled What is Foreign Actor Interference, provided a comprehensive overview of foreign actor interference: what it is, why it matters, the crucial roles of the policing and public safety community, and strategies for effectively countering foreign actor interference in Canada.
Foreign actor interference refers to illegal activity (overt or covert) by a foreign state or its proxies that targets and threatens Canadians or interferes with Canadian interests and security. The spread of misinformation can stigmatize minority communities, fuel fear and suspicion, undermine trust in experts and institutions, distort democratic processes, disrupt the economy, and even encourage violence.
The session was led by Sergeant Charlene Rivet and Chris Dyke of the RCMP Foreign Actor Interference Team. Participants of the session learned the different forms foreign actor interference can take, the unique challenges it presents, and why operational security is essential in addressing these threats.
“The RCMP, along with the broader Canadian police and public safety community, has a clear role to play in protecting Canada and Canadians from foreign actor interference,” says Sergeant Dyke. “Investigating threats to the security of Canada and upholding laws that prevent offences from occurring helps ensure that those who violate Canadian legislation are held accountable.”
This Network Webinar Series is an introduction to the upcoming foreign actor interference course, Recognizing and Reporting Foreign Actor Interference, which will be available through the CPKN catalogue in the Spring. Participants of the course will gain an understanding of the threat foreign actor interference plays to Canada, the RCMP’s mandate to investigate it, and the importance of maintaining operational security when involved in these investigations.
“With eyes and ears on the ground, our communities and their policing partners are often the first to hear about harassment or intimidation,” says Sergeant Rivet. “By recognizing and reporting incidents of foreign actor interference, including transnational repression and other threats to Canada’s national security, the public safety community plays a crucial role in safeguarding our collective safety.”
The CPKN Network Webinar Series is hosted approximately six times per year and is an opportunity for police and public safety services across the country to learn about new, emerging, and topical trends in the community. The webinar collaborates with subject matter experts, police and public safety services, not-for-profit organizations, and groups to form the topics on this series.
