Chinese state-sponsored hackers have reportedly breached at least 20 Canadian government networks over the past four years, maintaining access to sensitive data as confirmed by the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security in its National Cyber Threat Assessment 2025-2026. These attacks aim to advance Chinese strategic, economic, and diplomatic interests and are suspected of supporting broader malign activities against Canadian democratic institutions.

The report describes China as Canada’s most sophisticated cyber threat, highlighting espionage directed at government, private sector, and academia. Additionally, Canada’s Minister of National Defence, Bill Blair, noted a “sharp increase” in cyberattacks targeting critical services and infrastructure, often driven by geopolitical tensions with countries like China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and India.

Key Events:

• Chinese Espionage on Canadian Networks: Chinese hackers infiltrated over 20 Canadian government networks, using access to further China’s strategic interests in Canada.

• Impact on Bilateral Relations and Commerce: Stolen data is suspected of giving China leverage in diplomatic and economic dealings with Canada.

• Focus Beyond Government: Chinese state-sponsored hackers targeted Canadian academia, private sectors, supply chains, and government-affiliated R&D.

• Surveillance on Canadian Individuals: Chinese threat actors also targeted individuals like politicians, journalists, activists, and diaspora groups, using spear phishing and spyware.

• Emerging Threat from India: The report also identified India as a rising cyber threat due to increasing Canada-India tensions, with India likely targeting specific communities within Canada.

• Escalating Cyber Threat Landscape: Canada has seen a marked rise in both the number and severity of cyber incidents, many directed at critical infrastructure, mirroring the US’s experience with potential disruptions to essential services.

The persistence of foreign cyber threats highlights the need for Canada to strengthen cybersecurity, particularly in government and critical infrastructure. Proactive measures, collaboration with allies, and investment in cyber defences will be essential to counter escalating threats. The lesson for national security is that comprehensive and resilient cyber defences are crucial as geopolitical tensions increasingly spill over into the cyber realm.

Source and further reading.

Coker, J. (2024, October 31). Canadian government data stolen by Chinese hackers. Infosecurity Magazine. https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/canadian-government-data-chinese

Coker, J. (2024, October 30). Microsoft admits security failings allowed China to access US government emails. Infosecurity Magazine. https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/microsoft-failings-china/

Muncaster, P. (2024, October 25). US warns of destructive Chinese Cyber-Attacks. Infosecurity Magazine. https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/us-warns-of-destructive-chinese/