The Canadian government has decided to pull its support from a European disinformation conference due to concerns over certain panels discussing the U.S. government as a potential foreign interference threat. Global Affairs Canada (GAC) spokesperson Samantha Lafleur mentioned that the government objected to the way some panels were framed at the event organized by EU DisinfoLab in Brussels.
The conference includes discussions on the U.S. being a source of “foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI),” where foreign entities manipulate information to sow confusion, division, and distrust in institutions. Initially listed as supporters, GAC, Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry, and the European External Action Service had their names covered up on conference signs in Vilnius, Lithuania, as the event commenced.
While the French government remains a sponsor, GAC did not dispute having concerns about labeling the U.S. as a foreign interference risk. Lafleur stated that GAC decided to adjust its participation in certain sessions following changes to the framing of panel discussions. The specifics of the changes that led to GAC’s decision were not elaborated on, nor were any mentions of whether the U.S. expressed concerns.
Furthermore, a GAC official withdrew from chairing a session on Arctic disinformation, where Ben Shultz of the American Sunlight Project planned to discuss the U.S. as a potential foreign interference actor in specific Arctic contexts. Shultz expressed surprise at the withdrawal of three governments from the event and raised questions about external pressures, noting that all scheduled speakers still attended.
The European External Action Service also distanced itself from the conference content by removing its logo, citing misalignment with the EU’s official positions. Neither Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry nor the conference organizers provided comments on the matter.
This decision by Canada coincides with reports of meetings between Alberta separatists and U.S. entities, as well as ongoing trade tensions with the U.S. government under President Donald Trump. Despite withdrawing from the conference, Lafleur emphasized Canada’s commitment to combating disinformation and misinformation, expressing readiness to collaborate with partners on countering these challenges.