NDP Leader Vows to Remove MPs Who Deliberately Worked for Foreign Governments
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh announced that any MP in his caucus found to have collaborated with a foreign government to undermine Canada, as detailed in the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) report, would be promptly expelled.
During a press conference on June 10, Mr. Singh stated, “If it becomes clear that they have knowingly worked with a foreign government to undermine Canada, I will immediately remove them from caucus.” He emphasized that such MPs would not be allowed to run as candidates or remain in his caucus if identified.
Mr. Singh also urged leaders of other federal parties to take similar actions against any MPs mentioned in the report. He said, “If there was clear evidence or intelligence that someone knowingly worked with a foreign government to undermine our country, they should also be removed.”
The report refrained from disclosing the identities of the implicated MPs and senators, citing challenges with prosecuting individuals due to the country’s failure to safeguard classified information during judicial processes.
Parliamentarian committee chair, Liberal MP David McGuinty, underlined the committee’s inability to disclose names due to security protocols and parliamentarians waiving their privilege to sit on the committee. He emphasized the risk of prosecution for inadvertently revealing information.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre expressed the need for transparency, stating, “We do not need secrets and confidentiality. We need the facts so that Canadians can judge.” Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc defended not disclosing intelligence details publicly, citing confidentiality.