John Thompson, who heads up the Mackenzie Institute, a security minded think-tank, says China isn't alone in trying to gain influence.

Thompson, who is often called on by media outlets to offer up analysis, says he was offered $80,000 by a man tied to Iran's mission in Canada.

"They wanted me to publish a piece on the Mujahedin-e khalq," he said. "Iran is trying to get other countries to label it as a terrorist cult." Thompson says he turned down the offer.