The Canadian government is appointing a judge to lead a public inquiry long demanded by conservative lawmakers.
Canada has appointed a judge to lead a public inquiry into allegations of election interference by China and Russia, a victory for conservative opposition politicians who have for months accused the Canadian government of failing to respond seriously to the allegations.
The Liberal government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday tasked Quebec Court of Appeal judge Marie-Josée Hogue with leading the investigation.
“Foreign interference in Canadian democratic institutions is unacceptable,” Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc said at a press conference.
“Judge Hogue will be charged with reviewing and evaluating interference by China, Russia, and other foreign states and non-state actors.”
The Government of Canada, with the support of all recognized parties in the House, is launching a public inquiry into foreign interference in federal electoral processes and democratic institutions.
– Dominic LeBlanc (@DLeBlancNB) September 7, 2023
The Trudeau government has faced increasing criticism in recent months after media reports emerged alleging that China was seeking to interfere in the 2019 and 2021 Canadian elections.
Another report accusing Beijing of being involved in a campaign of intimidation against Conservative Party lawmaker Michael Chong and his family also drew widespread condemnation and prompted Ottawa to expel a Chinese diplomat in Toronto earlier this year.
China has consistently denied any interference in Canada's internal affairs, calling the allegations “baseless.”.
These accusations have exacerbated tensions between Ottawa and Beijing. Relations have been frosty for several years over a range of issues, including human rights, trade and arrests of Canadian and Chinese citizens.
Trudeau previously tasked former Governor General David Johnston with investigating allegations of Chinese interference in March. But Johnston resigned in June after saying a “highly partisan atmosphere” made it impossible to accomplish his task.
A month before his resignation, Johnston published a draft which concluded that the government had not ignored concerns about foreign interference.
“I have found no instances where the government knowingly ignored intelligence, advice or recommendations on foreign interference, or made decisions based on partisan considerations in dealing with these issues,” he wrote in the document. of 55 pages.
But conservative politicians continued to hammer the government on the issue, questioning whether it had responded to Beijing's allegations of election interference and calling for an independent investigation.
“We have denounced the Liberals' latest plan to sweep this issue under the rug…and we will not hesitate to denounce them again if this process does not provide real answers for Canadians,” said Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the Conservative party. ” said in a statement in response to Thursday's announcement.
Hogue's appointment comes after months of negotiations between the government and opposition parties over the terms of reference for the public inquiry and who should lead it.
Leblanc said Thursday that justice had the support of all parties.
She will have broad investigative powers and, according to the minister, will have to “follow the evidence” as she investigates “any potential impact on the 2019 and 2021 general elections”.
Hogue must publish a first report in February 2024 and a final version before the vote scheduled for the following year.
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