On Thursday, September 7, Canada announced that it would launch a public inquiry into whether China, Russia and other countries interfered in the Canadian election. A similar investigation launched by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau earlier this year was closed amid criticism from the Conservative Party.

The Canadian Minister of Public Safety, Dominic LeBlanchas Notice Thursday that the judge Marie-Josee Hogue of the Quebec Court of Appeal would lead the public inquiry, which was “unanimously approved by the opposition parties.” The investigation will focus on allegations from members of the Conservative Party of Canada regarding possible interference by the Chinese, Russian, Iranian and Indian governments in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections, Dominic LeBlanc said.

Marie-José Hogue will investigate how information was shared between senior government decision-makers, including election officials. Dominic LeBlanc stated that an interim report of the investigation will be published on February 29, 2024, while a final report will be published by December 2024.

“Foreign interference in Canada’s democratic institutions is unacceptable,” said Dominic LeBlanc. “China is not the only foreign actor seeking to undermine the democratic institutions of Canada or other Western democracies. This challenge is not unique to Canada. »

Justin Trudeau has already denied the possibility of interference with Canada’s elections, pointing out earlier this year that “Canada has some of the best and most robust elections in the world.” He added: “All Canadians can have complete confidence that the results of the 2019 and 2021 elections were determined by Canadians and only Canadians in the voting booth.” »

Pierre PoilievreLeader of the Conservative Party of Canada said his party will not hesitate to denounce Justin Trudeau and other members of the Liberal Party of Canada following their “recent attempt to sweep this issue under the rug,” according to Reuters.

This latest investigation into possible interference in Canada’s federal election follows another investigation launched by Justin Trudeau earlier this year. According to Reuters, the Canadian Prime Minister has been appointed David Johnston, a former governor general of Canada, was tapped to lead the investigation into alleged Chinese interference in the March election following pressure from Canada’s Conservative Party. David Johnson resigned and ended the investigation in June, citing “the highly partisan atmosphere that surrounded my appointment and my work.” The investigation was launched following allegations from members of the Conservative Party of Canada. Erin O’Toolethe party’s former leader said earlier this year that he was told that China had tried to prevent him from replacing Justin Trudeau Wall Street Journal. A spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa said the allegations were “baseless” and suggested that China would “never intervene in Canada’s internal affairs.”

Global Affairs Canada (Federal Department responsible for diplomatic and consular relations, the promotion of international trade and the organization of international assistance of Canada, Editor’s Note) stated in a report that Michael ChongTHE Shadow Foreign Minister of Canada, was likely the target of an online disinformation campaign orchestrated by China. The Canadian government said that while it was “highly likely” that China was involved in the alleged campaign, it was “not possible to prove beyond a reasonable doubt” its involvement.

Article translated from Forbes US – Author: Ty Roush

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