Declassified Memo Reveals Trudeau Was Alerted in 2017 to Chinese Police Probes in Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s national security adviser sent him a briefing in 2017, warning about unwarranted investigations by Chinese police in Canada, according to a declassified document.
The warning came at a time when Ottawa was pursuing closer relations with the communist regime, including a potential free trade agreement. A year earlier, as part of preliminary talks toward a free trade agreement, Canada had also agreed to negotiate a possible extradition treaty with Beijing.
The top secret memo, dated June 29, 2017, and titled “People’s Republic of China Political Interference in Canada,” provided a summary to the prime minister. Another stamp on the memo says ”returned from the PM” and is dated July 25, 2017.
“I raised the issue of Chinese law enforcement officers conducting investigations in Canada without following proper protocols,” wrote Daniel Jean, who served as the national security and intelligence adviser to the prime minister between 2016 and 2018. He added that he had raised the issue with the Chinese public security vice minister in March 2017.
The partly redacted memo was released on April 8 by the Public Inquiry Into Foreign Interference, which is currently investigating the Chinese regime’s interference in Canada’s elections, as well as clandestine activities from other foreign entities.
Despite the national security adviser’s warning, Mr. Trudeau continued to pursue a deepening relationship with Beijing, visiting China in December 2017. The preliminary talks toward a free trade deal eventually stalled during that visit after Canada insisted on including progressive values as part of the agreement.
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