At the same time, Canada is becoming more welcoming to Chinese electric vehicles (EVs). This change has alarmed security analysts and political leaders alike. Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre has been calling for a ban on Chinese-made vehicles around Canadian Forces bases and other key infrastructure. He does call out the dangers from their intrusive surveillance technology mounted on board. The discussion has come into sharper focus as concerns over Chinese technology grow. Just last month, Poland and Israel moved to limit the use of Chinese-made electric vehicles over security issues.
As CBC reported last week, experts had already been sounding the alarm about Chinese EVs in Canada, calling them “rolling surveillance” platforms. David Shipley, CEO of Beauceron Security, urged for vigilance. He cautioned that these vehicles are equipped with any number of sensors that could do things like collect and transmit sensitive information directly to the Chinese government.
So the Canadian federal government is feeling increasing pressure to step up and do as Poland and Israel have done. As we noted, both countries have gone ahead and banned electric vehicles made by Chinese companies like BYD Auto. Shipley encourages Parliament to hold military officials and senior bureaucrats accountable. He wants them to speak about National Defence’s approach to managing risks associated with Chinese electric vehicles (EVs).
In January, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the imposition of a new, very progressive, quota for affordable Chinese electric vehicles. This initiative complements a positive tariff rate to welcome investment into Canada’s auto sector while maneuvering through persistent trade feuds with the United States. And indeed, although they are currently touted as a smart mobility solution, Ontario Premier Doug Ford has raised concerns regarding the risks posed by these vehicles.
“Of course, Canada should follow suit,” Ford announced. Voices on all sides pushed him to ban like other countries have done. It was the history of his own field that led him to issue such a stark warning. When you pick up that cellphone—the Chinese are going to be eavesdropping on your conversations—and I’m not kidding about that!
Shipley supports Ford’s stance, referencing the actions taken by Poland: “They banned Teslas from their major political events and military bases for the same reason Israel is banning their BYDs.”
We are deeply troubled by China’s implementation of its national security law. Second, it can require that private companies turn over their intelligence to the Beijing government. With Chinese EVs equipped with lidar, radar cameras, and connectivity features that link drivers’ smartphones to their entertainment systems, experts worry about the implications for national security.
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree made clear the need to remain on guard. He said the federal government has to make sure vehicles in Canada don’t allow any foreign data transfer home.
Some experts caution against overreacting. Dan Stanton, a fellow with the University of Ottawa’s national security program, remained unconvinced. He doesn’t believe that Chinese-produced EVs are any kind of existential threat. “I find Canadians tend to get a bit overwrought with these things and often it’s much more benign,” he said.
Army Lt.-Col. Jennie Carignan, a military member that was a part of the delegation, admitted Chinese vehicles had made little inroads in Canada so far. After all, “Well, we don’t have a ton of Chinese vehicles yet,” she said. She noted that as Canada’s attitude toward China changes, we might see the development of new security regulations. One way or another, I believe as this posture evolves, the next generation of security requirements will be released. But we will need to see something like this before we would be willing to change our current position,” Carignan said.
The challenges of regulating foreign technology, particularly from countries like China, remains a contentious issue in Canada. Specifically, Shipley argued that the media focus is too much on Chinese electric vehicles. To ignore reality would be a disservice to the depth of military thought. For some reason, the issue at hand isn’t Chinese EVs. The true danger is from all these internet-connected automobiles and the vulnerabilities they create for our armed forces. We have no governing laws that overly restrict them.
And that of course all must be tempered with economic imperatives and national security priorities,” said one federal official trying to balance these concerns. As the number of Chinese EVs increases on Canadian roads, experts warn that monitoring and regulation may become increasingly challenging.
