The federal government has tapped Quebec Court of Appeal Justice Marie-Josée Hogue to lead the public inquiry into interference by foreign states, according to several reports.
Media outlets have reported the news, citing anonymous sources, but have indicated that Minister Dominic Leblanc is expected to make the official announcement on Sept. 7.
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The minister had refused to confirm rumours the hold-up was due to several sitting or retired judges refusing to take the role.
The Liberal government had resisted holding a public inquiry and instead appointed former governor general David Johnston as special rapporteur on foreign interference last March. Mr. Johnston resigned under pressure in June and the government began negotiations with opposition parties on the terms of an inquiry.
National security leaks in the press about Beijing interference in Canadian democracy since November last year have generated the momentum leading to calls to hold an inquiry. The New Democrat Party (NDP) had called to expand the inquiry to other states, such as Russia.
More to come…
