Former CSIS chief warns China will collect drivers' data through its electric cars

“All of your data, what you say, where you go, with whom you are, who you associate with, everything you do around your car, will be acquired by China,” said David Vigneault, who headed the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) from 2017 to 2024.

— David Vigneault, former CSIS director

Chinese EVs a year at the lowest tariff

50,000 vehicles

Prime Minister Mark Carney agreed this year to lower Canadian tariffs on nearly 50,000 Chinese EVs a year, and Geely Auto plans to enter the Canadian market next year.

Carney says he is entering the partnership with China “eyes wide open”; Vigneault says Canada must also protect “your wallet in your back pocket”.

Why it matters

Vigneault said China's theft of intellectual property has cost Canada and its allies tens of billions and amounts to a lost generation of prosperity.