Something is stirring on Prince Edward Island (PEI) in Canada—the awakening of the public about an issue of dire consequence to democracy there and everywhere.

Hundreds of islanders listened to speeches by island activists, a Toronto publisher, and former Canadian officials from Ottawa and New Brunswick who warned attendees about China’s growing influence on their little patch of earth off the country’s east coast.

The first speaker at the event was island historian David Weale. He got a standing ovation with the first three words of his speech: “Well, well, well.” For years, Mr. Weale has been critical of a China-linked Buddhist group on the island called “Bliss and Wisdom” that has reportedly used a shadowy network of entities to buy over 17,000 acres of land. Local law limits a corporation to just 3,000 acres.

The March 17 event, which lasted over two hours, was titled “Canada Under Siege: Prince Edward Island on the Front Line.”