China ‘strongly deplores’ interference inquiry, embassy warns of ‘consequences’

China ‘strongly deplores’ interference inquiry, embassy warns of ‘consequences’

Sept 9 2023

Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who is also the minister for democratic institutions, revealed Thursday that Marie-Josée Hogue, a puisne judge of the Court of Appeal of Quebec, has been tapped to lead the inquiry under the Inquiries Act.

Hogue’s appointment comes after a months-long search for a judge to head an inquiry after former governor general David Johnston, the special rapporteur looking into allegations of foreign interference, resigned from the role in June amid accusations of bias.

LeBlanc added Hogue will have to present an interim report by Feb. 29, 2024, and a final report in December of that year; Hogue will take the helm on Sept. 18.

So we have said.

Loaded: 33.98%

Current Time 0:00

/

Duration 1:45

Global News

LeBlanc explains decision to include countries outside China in foreign interference inquiry

0

View on Watch

“This is a global challenge for democracies. China is not the only country that seeks to interfere in an inappropriate way,” LeBlanc said, noting he has spoken with his counterpart in the U.K. over the summer about the challenges they are seeing with foreign interference.

“We did not want to restrict it to one country alone.”

Foreign interference has been a persistent issue in Ottawa this year amid reporting on allegations of Chinese meddling in Canada from The Globe and Mail and Global News.

As stories broke, so did revelations that Beijing attempted to target sitting politicians, including Tory MP Michael Chong.

Video: Public inquiry into foreign interference launched thanks to NDP efforts, Singh says

In May, the federal government confirmed a Globe and Mail report that CSIS had information in 2021 that Beijing was looking at ways to intimidate Chong and his relatives in Hong Kong.

China has denied the allegations that it targeted Chong after the MP voted in February 2021 in favour of a motion in the House of Commons condemning China’s treatment of its Uyghur minority as a genocide.

The spat led to both nations expelling diplomats in a tit-for-tat move and prompted a policy change for CSIS to inform MPs of threats, no matter how serious.

Video: Foreign interference inquiry: Quebec judge Marie-Josée Hogue to lead probe

Since then, NDP MP Jenny Kwan has said CSIS has told her that she’s been a target of Chinese government interference. She said the interference attempts date back to the 2019 federal election but are believed to be ongoing.

The embassy spokesperson reiterated China’s denial of the interference allegations Friday, and claimed some Canadian politicians and media are “spreading lies and disinformation” to discredit China.

With the relations between the two countries at a low point, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday that rapprochement with China isn’t in the cards right now.

“Rapprochement? No,” he said.