Democracy Under Pressure: China’s Influence in Canada and Beyond

Democracy Under Pressure: China’s Influence in Canada and Beyond

📅 Date: April 19, 2026 🕖 Time: 3pm 📍 Location: UBC (Robson Square) C300 Theatre, 800 Robson Street, Vancouver

A public forum examining foreign interference, Canada–China relations, and the future of Hong Kong.

Speakers:

*Charles Burton (Senior Fellow, Sinopsis Think Tank; former Canadian diplomat in China)

*Elizabeth Donkervoort ( Director, China Strategic Risks Institute, a democracy and human rights expert with extensive experience countering digital authoritarianism and transnational repression)

*Gabriel Yiu ( an award-winning commentator and spokesperson of the Concern Group)

*Terry Glavin ( a Canadian author and journalist)

Concerns about foreign interference, transnational repression, and growing geopolitical tensions have increasingly drawn public attention in Canada and other democratic societies. Developments in Hong Kong following the National Security Law have also raised important questions about civil liberties, rule of law, and the future of open societies.

This public forum brings together experts to examine China’s global influence, Canada–China relations, and the implications for democratic institutions and diaspora communities. The discussion will explore how democratic societies can respond to foreign interference, safeguard fundamental freedoms, and address the challenges posed by authoritarian expansion.

Join us for a timely and important conversation.

民主的挑戰：中國對加拿大及全球的影響

近年來，外國干預、跨境打壓以及日益緊張的地緣政治局勢，已引起加拿大及其他民主社會的廣泛關注。香港在《國家安全法》實施後的變化，亦引發國際社會對公民自由、法治及開放社會未來的討論。

本論壇邀請專家學者，探討中國在全球的影響力、加中關係，以及對民主制度和海外社群所帶來的影響。講者將分析民主社會如何應對外國干預、保障基本自由，以及面對威權擴張所帶來的挑戰。

誠邀您參與這場重要而及時的討論。

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Host or Publisher Vancouver Society in Support of Democratic Movement