OTTAWA, ON, April 21, 2025 /CNW/ – Today, the Government of Canada held its fifth briefing to media regarding the actions that it is taking to protect the general election from foreign interference.

These briefings are conducted under the direction of the Critical Election Incident Public Protocol Panel (the Panel), and informed by the Security and Intelligence Threats to Elections (SITE) Task Force.

As part of its mandate to monitor the digital information ecosystem during the general election, the SITE Task Force has observed a transnational repression (TNR) operation targeting the general election.

The TNR operation is taking place on social media platforms where Chinese-speaking users in Canada are very active. This includes Facebook, WeChat, TikTok, RedNote, and Douyin, a sister-app of TikTok for the Chinese market.

The content of this operation features a mock “wanted poster”, as well as disparaging headlines and comments, about Joe Tay, Conservative party candidate for Don Valley North. Mr. Tay is known for his opposition to PRC laws and practices in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and is one of six individuals targeted with monetary bounties by Hong Kong Police in December 2024.

The images and videos have, together, received varying levels of engagement, and have been amplified on several platforms and Chinese-language news sites. While overall engagement levels since they peaked in December 2024 have been low, they have increased at various points during the writ period. The SITE Task Force has determined that certain activity shows signs of coordinated inauthentic behaviour.

The SITE Task Force has discussed this issue with social media platforms to inform them of the findings, and to raise our concerns. The SITE Task Force has also briefed the cleared representative of the Conservative Party about this information operation.

This is not about a single online act, but rather a series of acts designed to discredit a candidate, silence criticism and dissent, and manipulate information that informs voters.

Such online content may also be perceived as sending a wider warning to voters, who are well aware of malign actors’ methods of transnational repression, and may avoid supporting their preferred candidate as a result (having signs on their property, providing donations, etc.). This behaviour is called transnational repression, and it will not be tolerated. All Canadians should be aware that there are safeguards in place to ensure everyone’s vote is secret and secure, and that it is illegal to change a voter’s ballot, or to break the secrecy of the vote.

Anyone receiving these types of threats, or encountering any form of TNR, is encouraged to report it to their local police, to the RCMP, or to the Canadian Security Intelligence Service at the numbers below. Electors who have been prevented from voting or who feel that they have been compelled to vote for a particular candidate as a result of intimidation or duress should also contact the Commissioner of Canada Elections and the SITE Task Force.

At this time, the Panel has determined that this activity is not affecting Canada’s ability to have a free and fair election, including in this riding. However, given the combined instances and spread of the information operation to multiple platforms, it is important for voters to be aware of this type of activity, and to know that measures are in place to help support them.

This detection and public notice demonstrate that the measures in place to safeguard the 2025 General Election are working:

Canada’s national security agencies are working together to monitor and protect against all possible threats to Canada’s democracy through the SITE Task Force;the Panel is being briefed regularly and is closely evaluating the information and intelligence provided by the SITE Task Force to determine whether incidents are impacting Canada’s ability to have a free and fair election; andthe Government of Canada is continuing to communicate regularly to the public about emerging issues that may have an impact. 

The SITE Task Force will continue to monitor the digital information environment for foreign information manipulation, and to shine a light on foreign interference during Canada’s 45th general election.

Canadians can rest assured that there are strong mechanisms in place to detect, deter, counter, and disrupt foreign interference.

Quick Facts

Voting is completely secret. No one will ever know who you vote for. It is illegal to break the secrecy of the vote. This prevents people from being intimidated or influenced to vote a certain way. The Canada Elections Act prohibits the use of duress, intimidation, pretence or contrivance, to influence Canadian electors to vote or refrain from voting for a candidate or a party.To report transnational repression, contact your local police or RCMP (secure website or by phone at 1-800-420-5805), the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (secure website or by phone at 1-800-267-7685), the Commissioner of Canada Elections (secure webform or by phone at 1-855-759-6740) or the SITE Task Force (SITE-MSRE@smtp.gc.ca).

Associated Links

Backgrounder: Transnational Repression OperationElections Canada – Voting SafeguardsProtecting Canada’s General ElectionKey Considerations for Panel Decisions 

SOURCE Privy Council Office

Proactive cybersecurity solution designed to stop attacks before they occur

SAN DIEGO, April 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Proficio®, a leader in Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services, is proud to announce the launch of its latest innovation, Active Defense Collective (Patent Pending). This cutting-edge solution extends Proficio’s existing Active Defense XDR service, offering clients a proactive approach to cybersecurity by blocking active global attackers in real-time before they attack and compromise your network and devices. Active Defense Collective leverages Proficio’s extensive Threat Intelligence and Crowd Sourced Collective Attack Discovery from all Clients to provide an unprecedented level of security across diverse customer networks.

“The development of Active Defense Collective marks a significant advancement in our ability to provide clients with proactive security measures,” said Brad Taylor, CEO and co-founder of Proficio. “By utilizing a Collective approach, we empower our clients with shared intelligence derived from active attack information from many clients to enhance their security posture and proactive blocking  against potential threats before they materialize.”

Benefits of Active Defense Collective include:

Preemptive Threat Blocking: Initiates blocks across the collective client base before threats are observed in individual environments.

Enhanced Threat Intelligence: Utilizes Proficio’s Threat Intelligence Profiler to validate and confirm malicious activity.

Network Effect Advantage: As Active Defense grows, the protective effect of Active Defense Collective compounds, providing a scalable value proposition.

Comprehensive Security Coverage: Offers broad coverage by leveraging multiple intelligence sources to enhance threat detection.

Active Defense Collective is available immediately to all Proficio clients. For pricing and more information, please contact Proficio directly.

About Proficio: Proficio is a foremost leader in Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services, empowering organizations worldwide to defend against advanced cyber threats with innovative solutions designed to enhance their security posture. Active Defense Collective is patent pending, reflecting our commitment to providing cutting-edge technology in cybersecurity.

Proficio.com Media Contact:
Sheena Marie Streling
San Diego, CA
92171
+1.800.779.5042
info@proficio.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/proficio-unveils-active-defense-collective-solution-patent-pending-302433497.html

SOURCE Proficio

BRENTWOOD, Tenn., April 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — This year, Copperweld marks its 110th anniversary — a milestone that reflects over a century of delivering engineered wire solutions for electrical infrastructure. Since its founding in 1915 in Rankin, Pennsylvania, the company has focused on creating conductors that meet the real-world demands of the industries they serve. Today, from its homebase in the Midsouth USA, Copperweld manufactures bimetallic conductors engineered for a balance of performance, strength, and material efficiency.

Throughout its history, innovation has been more than a goal — it’s been a mindset. From the early days of telegraph lines to today’s ever-evolving power and data systems, Copperweld’s forward-thinking approach and innovative products have helped shape the backbone of critical infrastructure. And while the technologies around the company have evolved, its purpose remains the same: build smarter wire and cable products that meet the moment — and stand the test of time.

Built on a History of Problem-Solving

Copperweld’s story began with the development of Copper-Clad Steel (CCS), a material that combined the strength of steel with the conductivity of copper. This early innovation offered a durable, efficient solution for grounding and other high-demand applications. In 1918, the first copper-clad ground rod was introduced — and more than a century later, it’s still an industry standard.

Over the decades, Copperweld has continued to evolve its portfolio to meet the shifting needs of utility, telecom, and construction professionals. Products like ArcAngel TM , Stingray TM and Sunray TM were each built around the same principles: purposeful design, reliable performance, and a commitment to solving real challenges in the field.

Today, that same problem-solving spirit drives one of the fastest-growing areas of Copperweld’s business —  Copperweld® Copper-Clad Aluminum (CCA) Building Wire.

A Practical Approach to Modern Wiring

Copperweld® CCA Building Wire is a bimetallic conductor that blends the conductivity of copper with the light weight and efficiency of aluminum. It’s a code-compliant, UL-listed solution for branch-circuit wiring in both residential and commercial construction.

With copper prices climbing, supply chains tightening, and sustainability demands growing, builders and contractors need practical alternatives to solid-copper wire. CCA building wire delivers a dependable, cost-effective solution that helps manage material costs, supports long-term supply stability, and meets performance expectations — without compromise.

This product reflects what’s always defined Copperweld: using engineering to extend the value of copper, without cutting corners on reliability or code compliance. It’s a solution shaped by the needs of today’s jobsite — efficient, scalable, and ready to deliver.

CCA building wire is playing a bigger role in our future because it meets the challenges of the present. It’s what Copperweld has always aimed to do — deliver smart, dependable wire and cable products that meet the expectations of engineers, installers, inspectors, and professionals across the industries we serve.

Looking Ahead

As Copperweld celebrates 110 years, the company continues to focus on solving problems through innovation. Copperweld is committed to engineering products that serve modern infrastructure — efficiently, reliably, and with an eye toward what’s next.

Learn more about Copperweld building wire products.

Copperweld is the world leader in bimetallic wire and cable specializing in power, grounding, and signal conductors for building construction, power grid, utilities, communications, and transportation. For over 100 years, their mission has been to make the most reliable, sustainable, and innovative wire and cable products on the market. Copperweld’s metallurgical expertise and engineered solutions result in bimetallic products that enhance performance, extend service life, conserve copper, improve energy efficiency, and reduce theft incentives. Their American-made products are manufactured in the USA, and the culture of excellence and innovation that inspired them over a century ago still drives them today.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/copperweld-celebrates-110-years-of-bimetallic-innovation-a-century-of-solving-real-world-challenges-302433495.html

SOURCE Copperweld