Foreign interference inquiry is coming, prime minister says
Details being worked out: Trudeau
- National Post - 22 Aug 2023 - Ryan Tumilty National Post
David Johnston resigned his post as special rapporteur on foreign interference in June. When Johnston quit, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his government would consider a possible public inquiry.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau insisted Monday his government is committed to a full public inquiry on foreign interference, but is still working through the details with opposition parties, giving no date for when an inquiry might get underway.
Trudeau was asked about the potential inquiry at a cabinet retreat in Prince Edward Island on Monday. He said they’re working on it, but want a process everyone will stand behind.
“We continue to work very closely with all opposition parties on making sure that the terms of reference, the person who will be leading it, and the work that is done, is in the best interests of all Canadians; that they are able to do the work without the kind of partisan toxicity we saw.”
Earlier this year, multiple reports emerged that China had made efforts to influence the outcome of the 2019 and 2021 elections. In the case of the 2021 elections, it is suggested the Chinese government attempted to use misinformation to sway results in several ridings, with the overall goal of electing a Liberal minority government.
Trudeau initially asked former governor general David Johnston to act as special rapporteur to investigate the foreign interference issue and recommend whether an inquiry was necessary. Johnston recommended against an inquiry, but then quit his post in June after several votes in Parliament calling on him to resign and complaints that he had a conflict of interest in the decision.
When Johnston quit, Trudeau said his government would work with the opposition to consider a possible inquiry. “We know that a robust inquiry into foreign interference of all different types is really important for democracy and that’s why we’re moving forward with that,” he said.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said the prime minister remains the hold up in getting an inquiry underway. “We gave them names. We gave him a mandate and we’ve been waiting ever since. The holdup is Justin Trudeau. Only Justin Trudeau has the authority to call a public inquiry, as leader of the opposition, I have no authority under the inquiries act.”
Poilievre said Trudeau’s party benefited the most from China’s interference and he questions if the prime minister really wants to address the problem.
He said a Conservative government would immediately call a public inquiry and would implement a foreign agent registry, which he said the Liberals have also been dragging their feet on.
On Friday, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May complained about the access to top-secret documents she received after receiving a security clearance to review information about foreign interference.
When Johnston issued his report arguing against a public inquiry he also said the government should allow opposition leaders to view all the top-secret material he had viewed. Johnston came to the conclusion that while there was foreign interference in Canada’s elections, it did not tip the balance of the election and the prime minister did not fail to act.
May said she wasn’t given all the information she needed to judge Johnston’s conclusion.
Trudeau was asked about the issue Monday and said Public Safety Minister Dominic Leblanc was looking into May’s concerns.
As he started a three-day cabinet retreat, Trudeau was also asked about the protests he has attracted and the anti-trudeau flags and bumper stickers that have become prevalent in the country.
Trudeau said he understands the pandemic was a challenging time for people.
“Since the pandemic in particular, we’ve seen an increase in polarization of frustration and anxiety and mental health pressures on a whole lot of people right across the country,” he said. “Don’t write off Canadians just because they choose to wave a nasty flag.”
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