In a significant turn of events in the 2025 Canadian federal election, Joe Tay, a Conservative Party candidate and former Hong Kong actor, faced a barrage of online attacks linked to Chinese government-affiliated websites. These efforts aimed to undermine his campaign just days before the election held on April 28, 2025. Tay, who has been vocal against China's human rights violations and the national security law imposed on Hong Kong, found himself at the center of a politically charged atmosphere in the Don Valley North riding of Ontario.
According to a report by the New York Times on April 27, Canadian officials revealed that these coordinated attacks were designed to portray Tay as a criminal, further complicating his election efforts. Tay immigrated to Toronto in 2020 after participating in democracy movements in Hong Kong and subsequently founded an online radio station, 'Hong Kong Stand,' which critiques the Chinese government's policies.
At the end of last year, Hong Kong police issued an arrest warrant for Tay, offering a reward of HK$1 million (approximately US$129,000) for his capture under the national security law. Kara Sholga, founder of the organization DisinfoWatch, described this as one of China's most overt attempts to interfere in a Western democracy, suggesting that the bounty was a tactic to disrupt Tay's campaign activities.
Throughout the previous two federal elections in Canada, the Chinese government has been reported to target candidates who criticize its human rights record and policies concerning Hong Kong, particularly focusing on Conservatives due to their hardline stance against Beijing. In a notable incident during the campaign, Liberal Party candidate Paul Chiang suggested that anyone could take Tay to the Chinese consulate in Toronto to claim the reward, a comment that sparked outrage and led to his eventual withdrawal from the election.
As the election unfolded, Tay found himself in a competitive race against Liberal candidate Maggie Chi, who had garnered 10,841 votes (53.6%) compared to Tay's 8,421 votes (41.6%) as reported by Global News late on election night. Chi's lead of over 4,000 votes positioned her as the likely winner in the riding, which has a diverse population, including 22% immigrants from mainland China and 8% from Hong Kong.
Chi, who replaced Han Dong—an incumbent Liberal MP implicated in foreign interference—boasted over 12 years of municipal government experience and focused her campaign on improving public safety, community spaces, and infrastructure in the region. Dong had lost his party affiliation due to his involvement in a foreign interference scandal and subsequently withdrew from the race.
Despite the challenges he faced, Tay remained optimistic even after acknowledging his defeat on social media. He expressed gratitude for the support he received from the Conservative Party and emphasized that he had gained something more significant than a political victory: the courage to stand up, speak out, and work towards shared dreams for the future. "I hope to primarily love Canada," he stated, reflecting on his journey and aspirations.
The 2025 federal election has drawn heightened attention from the Hong Kong community, particularly due to the ongoing tensions between Canada and China, exacerbated by issues such as trade tariffs and allegations of interference. Many Hong Kong residents are now more informed about the intricacies of Canadian politics than in previous elections, as the stakes have risen significantly.
As the dust settles on the election, the implications of foreign influence and the challenges faced by candidates like Joe Tay will likely resonate beyond the immediate results. The Conservative Party's efforts to rally support against perceived external threats and the Liberal Party's strategies in handling allegations of foreign interference will continue to shape the political landscape in Canada.
In summary, the recent federal election in Canada has highlighted not only the complexities of domestic politics but also the far-reaching effects of international relations and the struggle for democracy. Candidates like Joe Tay, despite facing significant hurdles, have brought attention to the importance of standing up against oppression and advocating for democratic values both in Canada and abroad.
