In current weeks, a collection of stories within the Canadian media, primarily based on intelligence leaks, have detailed alleged makes an attempt by Beijing to intrude within the 2019 and 2021 elections.
(Reuters Archive)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has introduced the appointment of an impartial particular rapporteur to probe alleged Chinese interference in Canada’s final two federal elections.
The new rapporteur, to be named within the coming days, can be accountable for making “expert recommendations on combating interference and strengthening our democracy,” stated Trudeau on Monday, including that he had additionally appointed two committees to research international interference.
Trudeau stated his authorities would abide by the rapporteur’s suggestions, “which could include a formal inquiry or some other independent review process”.
The prime minister additionally instructed members of the parliamentary committee on nationwide safety and intelligence to launch a brand new, specialised investigation into international interference in Canada’s elections.
The committee had already introduced a report on the topic in 2019, calling on the federal government to do extra.
That’s why, at the moment, I introduced new measures to fight the specter of international interference and to guard our democracy. To be taught extra in regards to the actions we’re taking, click on right here: https://t.co/HQThfGVUxp
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) March 7, 2023
“This is not a new problem”
This announcement got here after opposition events had been calling for days for an impartial public inquiry into the difficulty.
One of the primary duties of the particular rapporteur can be to advise the federal government on the subsequent steps to take, together with a potential public inquiry.
Meanwhile, the physique overseeing Canada’s intelligence companies has been known as upon to look at how Canada’s nationwide safety companies have dealt with the specter of election interference.
“Any interference attempt by any foreign actor is troubling and serious,” stated Trudeau, noting that the “Chinese government and other regimes like Iran and Russia have attempted to interfere not just in our democracy, but in our country in general.”
“This is not a new problem,” he added.
China denies claims
In current weeks a collection of stories within the Canadian media, primarily based on intelligence leaks, have detailed alleged makes an attempt by Beijing to intrude in these elections.
That allegedly concerned secret financing or involvement within the marketing campaign of sure candidates throughout voting in 2019 and 2021.
China has firmly denied the fees, calling them “defamatory.”
READ MORE:
Did China meddle in Canada elections to maintain Trudeau in energy?
Source: AFP
Source: www.trtworld.com
