Important Message from the Research Security Center

It has come to our attention that certain foreign embassies and consulates have been requesting information from Canadian universities regarding the number of their citizens currently on campus. The Research Security Centre has been working closely with the Office of the National Counter Foreign Interference Coordinator here at Public Safety Canada and Global Affairs Canada to assist institutions in understanding and responding to these requests.

In considering such situations, it is important to recognize that providing detailed information on the number of foreign citizens at your institution may enable the foreign government in question to identify concentrations of their nationals among your students, faculty, and researchers. This information can be used in some instances to conduct transnational repression – a form of foreign interference in which foreign governments, or those acting on their behalf, harass, threaten, or harm individuals or groups to silence criticism and dissent.

As you may be aware, certain foreign governments target specific groups on Canadian University and College campuses, including international students. Access to this type of aggregate data could help such missions determine where to focus those efforts, for example, by identifying institutions they perceive as more reliant on the enrolment or participation of their citizens.

You should also be aware of the potential risk of indirect identification. Even when information is provided in aggregate form, breaking it down into smaller subcategories can increase the likelihood that specific individuals may be identifiable. This, in turn, could expose members of your community to transnational activities, such as being monitored/surveilled, harassed (in-person or online), or intimidated.

Because these requests originate from foreign governments, any information your institution considers sharing must comply not only with internal university policies but also with applicable provincial and federal privacy legislation. Additionally, responding to such inquiries may lead to further, more detailed requests over time and could increase the risk of foreign influence activities. While foreign embassies and consulates are permitted to make inquiries within the scope of their mandate, your institution is under no obligation to provide the information requested.

Should your institution receive this type of request from a foreign embassy or consulate, you may wish to note that Canada does not request comparable information from that country’s institutions. You may also wish to indicate that the request may be inconsistent with your university’s policies or with applicable provincial or federal legislation if that is the case. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any further questions.

Sincerely,

The Research Security Centre

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