Canadian investigative journalist Sam Cooper recently spoke to The Epoch Times in an interview about the upcoming release of his bestseller, Wilful Blindness. Originally published in 2021, the book examines how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has utilized Hong Kong tycoons and triad leaders to infiltrate Canada, specifically impacting Vancouver’s real estate market through underground banking. Triads are criminal organizations with a history of engaging in illegal activities such as drug trafficking, extortion, and money laundering.
Cooper’s investigation uncovered a network of illicit funds originating from China and Hong Kong that played a significant role in driving up housing prices in Vancouver. This phenomenon became known as the “Vancouver Model” of money laundering.
In the updated edition of Wilful Blindness, Cooper delves deeper into foreign interference in Canada, particularly within Canadian elections. He provides fresh insights into how CCP-aligned criminal networks manipulate local economies and politics. During his conversation with The Epoch Times, Cooper emphasized that malicious actors from political, criminal, and financial sectors are collaborating with Beijing to gain influence within the country.
Cooper stated that “the CCP was at the heart of politics in a lot of countries by using those illegal networks.” In Canada specifically, this “elite capture” extends to politicians, election candidates, and individuals who turn a blind eye to money laundering activities – all contributing to allowing the CCP to establish a foothold within the country.
The investigation revealed alarming levels of influence exerted by individuals connected to CCP intelligence and triads who have made significant progress within Canada. According to the report, “certain powerful companies and Chinese intelligence agents embedded in our government were able to influence high-level decision-making.”
Since exposing these CCP operations, Cooper has faced ongoing legal threats as well as personal attacks from groups controlled by Beijing that accuse him of promoting “anti-Asian racism.” Nevertheless, he remains steadfast: ”I’m a person of faith. I have a lot of support,” he affirmed.