China had agents in parliament, says PM

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has accused China of playing ‘‘aggressive games’’ with his country’s democracy, after reports that Beijing planted spies in MPs’ offices.

Intelligence sources said China had funded a ‘‘clandestine network’’ of election candidates during Canada’s 2019 election, and agents to parliament, to influence policy in China’s favour.

The allegations came after federal police announced that they were investigating a secret network of Chinese ‘‘overseas police stations’’ in Toronto – part of China’s efforts to secretly round up dissidents and criminals abroad.

‘‘We have taken significant measures to strengthen the integrity of our elections processes and our systems, and we’ll continue to invest in the fight against election interference, against foreign interference of our democracy and institutions,’’ Trudeau said.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said Canada ‘‘needs to stop making remarks that undermine China-Canada relations ... ‘‘China is not interested in Canada’s internal affairs’’.

Citing intelligence officials, Canadian broadcaster Global News said Beijing had directed funds to candidates, targeting members from both Trudeau’s Liberal Party and the opposition Conservative Party.

Chinese agents reportedly acted as campaign advisers to several candidates, and attempted to ‘‘co-opt and corrupt’’ former Canadian officials in order to gain political influence in Ottawa, Global News said. The operation was allegedly directed from China’s consulate in Toronto.