Advocacy Group Raises Concerns About Senators with Alleged Ties to Beijing Interfering in Inquiry

The Chinese Canadian Concern Group, an advocacy group, has called for the Foreign Interference Commission to investigate the pro-Beijing stances of two senators and their alleged connections to China.

In a submission to the public inquiry on June 18, the Concern Group highlighted concerns about Senators Yuen Pau Woo and Victor Oh regarding their ties to the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

While not accusing the senators of any illegal activities, the Concern Group emphasized the need for a thorough examination of their relationships with the Chinese government and its supporters.

Senator Woo, appointed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in 2016, serves as an Independent, while Senator Oh, appointed by former Prime Minister Stephen Harper in 2013, retired at the age of 75 on June 10.

The Concern Group expressed particular concern about Senator Woo’s efforts to downplay foreign interference issues and his alignment with the PRC on various contentious matters.

Both senators have opposed the introduction of a foreign influence registry, with Senator Woo even organizing a demonstration against it on Parliament Hill.

In submissions to the inquiry, Senator Woo has challenged allegations of foreign interference in Canadian elections and has attributed such claims to attempts to silence dissenting views.

The inquiry, led by Commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue, has received criticism for its handling of foreign interference issues and its conclusions on the impact of such activities on electoral results.

China has been identified as a significant perpetrator of foreign interference in Canada, with security bodies like CSIS linking disinformation efforts to Beijing.

The commission announced its intention to investigate parliamentarians colluding with foreign actors, following a report from the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians revealing cooperation with foreign states.

Senator Woo expressed gratitude for the Concern Group’s attention to his submissions and raised concerns about the potential consequences of broad foreign interference laws.

Senator Oh, who retired in June, thanked Canada and its people in a statement before his departure.

The Liberal government introduced Bill C-70 to counter foreign interference, which was passed with bipartisan support and aims to establish a foreign influence registry and new criminal offenses.

Officials anticipate that setting up the foreign influence registry and related infrastructure could take up to a year once the legislation is enacted.

The next federal election is scheduled for October 2025.

Andrew Chen contributed to this report.