Second Diaspora Group Boycotts Foreign Interference Inquiry Over Security Concerns

Second Diaspora Group Refuses to Participate in Inquiry on Foreign Interference Due to Security Concerns

February 20, 2024 TruthUSA

The inquiry is criticized as a ‘huge fishing net,’ collecting intelligence that is at risk of leaks due to the inclusion of individuals accused of ties to China

A second diaspora group is urging a boycott of the public inquiry into foreign interference due to security concerns, particularly regarding the inclusion of individuals accused of ties to alleged Chinese interference in the last two federal elections.

Canadian Friends of Hong Kong (CFHK) expressed “grave concerns regarding the objectivity and the security integrity” of the public inquiry. Specifically, it pointed to Commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue’s decision to include former Liberal MP Han Dong, Senator Yuan Pau Woo, and Michael Chan, deputy mayor of Markham, Ont.

Mr. Dong and Mr. Chan were granted full standing at the inquiry, enabling them to interrogate witnesses and access classified evidence. Meanwhile, Mr. Woo was given intervener standing, allowing access to exhibit copies and the ability to make oral and written submissions.

“This Inquiry functions like a huge fishing net—snaring up all kinds of foreign interference information and from all sources. A person who has full standing has the right to cross-examine witnesses and to access documentary evidence not admitted as exhibits,” CFHK said in a statement posted on the social media platform X on Feb. 20.

“Even if documents are heavily redacted, just the titles of the documents, if seen by our adversaries, will give them a target as they will know what to look for.”

CFHK’s boycott followed another diaspora group’s withdrawal from the inquiry last month. The Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project (URAP) announced its decision to withdraw on Jan. 31, citing security concerns related to the inclusion of the three politicians.

Allegations

The three politicians have all denied any wrongdoing while facing accusations of inappropriate ties to the Chinese consulate.

In March 2023, a Global News report citing anonymous national security sources accused Mr. Dong of having close ties with China’s former consul general in Toronto, Han Tao. The news outlet also alleged Mr. Dong’s participation in a foreign interference network backed by Beijing. Following this, Mr. Dong resigned from the Liberal caucus to sit as an Independent MP but rejected the allegations. In April 2023, he launched a libel suit against Global News.

Mr. Chan also faces allegations of inappropriate associations with Chinese diplomat Zhao Wei, formerly stationed at the Chinese consulate in Toronto. Mr. Zhao was expelled from Canada in May 2023 amid accusations of involvement in targeting Conservative MP Michael Chong for criticizing Beijing’s treatment of the Uyghurs in Xinjiang, China. Mr. Chan has denied any connections to the Chinese official.

Mr. Dong and Mr. Chan didn’t respond to multiple requests for comment from The Epoch Times.

Mr. Woo, who has sparked concerns among the Chinese diaspora for remarks and actions deemed favourable to Beijing, has also rejected the allegations against him. In a previous statement to The Epoch Times, Mr. Woo refuted URAP’s allegations, saying they are “without any evidence” and claimed that they could potentially “lead to a witch hunt.”

To reinforce its call for boycotting the public inquiry, CFHK cited a Macdonald-Laurier Institute (MLI) article in which experts warned that the foreign interference inquiry could “backfire” on Canada’s national security.

“Information gathered by the Commission will almost certainly reveal how Canadian activists and security experts monitor foreign infiltration and influence. It could expose the methodology used, contacts and information sources, and the strategic approach and rationale of each expert or analyst,” the MLI stated. “This is powerful knowledge; it is not the type of information that should be available to the perpetrators of foreign interference.”

“By granting standing to individuals with alleged ties to the Chinese embassy, we are potentially offering incredible insight to our adversaries, enabling them to design and execute more effective interference operations and targeted counter actions against the Canadians standing up for our national sovereignty.”

Source link