Trudeau Set to Testify Before Foreign Election Interference Inquiry

Trudeau Expected to Give Testimony in Foreign Election Interference Inquiry

March 22, 2024 TruthUSA

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is scheduled to give testimony before the public inquiry into foreign interference, along with other senior government officials, as hearings resume on March 27 to investigate foreign interference in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections.

In a press release dated March 22, the Commission on Foreign Interference announced that over 40 individuals, including current and former elected officials, representatives of Elections Canada and the Office of the Commissioner of Canada Elections, as well as current and former senior government officials, members of cabinet, and Mr. Trudeau, will be involved in the hearings.

Commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue stated that the hearings aim to provide Canadians with a better understanding of the foreign interference threats faced by our electoral system in the 2019 and 2021 elections, the protective measures in place, and any potential impact on the integrity of the elections.

According to the press release, a schedule of witnesses appearing before the commission will be released next week. The commission plans to publish an interim report in May and a final report in December.

The foreign interference commission was established in response to concerns about foreign interference, particularly by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections.

The inquiry was initiated following pressure from Opposition parties and has faced controversy and criticism from rights groups and the Conservative Party.

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Second Diaspora Group Calls for Boycott of Foreign Interference Inquiry Over Security Concerns

At least two groups have called for a boycott of the commission, including the Canadian Friends of Hong Kong (CFHK) and the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project, over the full standing it granted to politicians that, according to media citing CSIS documents, are alleged to be linked to the Chinese consulate.

With full standing, the individuals can question witnesses and access some of the non-public documents, which rights groups say endangers the security of witnesses.

Conservatives have also been critical of the inquiry, saying they should have been granted the same full standing as the federal government. CSIS leaks reported by media say the CCP targeted the Conservatives they weren’t elected.

Opposition parties will have an opportunity to cross-examine witnesses. Former Conservative Leader and MP Erin O’Toole, who has been targeted by the CCP due to his strong stance against the Chinese regime, will also be allowed to cross-examine witnesses.

The first phase of the inquiry in February saw some heavily redacted documents released, despite promises that the inquiry would try to make as much information public as possible.

Ten CSIS documents were heavily redacted, some fully, with everything blacked out.

The Liberal government initially resisted calls to hold an inquiry into foreign interference, instead appointing former Governor General David Johnston as special rapporteur on foreign interference. He later resigned under pressure amid conflict of interest concerns related to his past ties to the Trudeau family.

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