The threat of foreign interference within Canada is not a new concern. However, in the past few weeks, worries regarding China’s meddling in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections have ramped up.
The Allegations
Last November, an article revealed that CSIS had warned Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about China’s attempts at interference in Canada’s political system, which employed several tactics, including contributing funding to eleven 2019 federal election candidates. CSIS documents claimed that Chinese diplomats sought to ensure the election of a Liberal minority government in 2021 and the defeat of several Conservative politicians deemed hostile.
Soon after these revelations, Members of Parliament from all political stripes on the Procedure and House Affairs Committee (PROC) agreed to study the claims that China interfered with the 2019 federal election. Following further reports of China’s activities, the scope of the study expanded in February to include the 2021 election. Additionally, the commissioner of watchdog Canada Elections announced that her office had launched a review into the allegations to determine whether any contraventions of the Canada Elections Act had occurred.
At the centre of this chaos is Liberal Member of Parliament (MP) Han Dong, who has represented Toronto riding Don Valley North since 2019. Characterized as a “close friend” of China’s consulate in Toronto, he has denied and denounced the accusations against him. However, scathing allegations last week accused Dong of advising China’s consul general in Toronto to delay the release of Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, two Canadians detained in China for nearly three years, to prevent benefitting the Conservative Party of Canada. Consequently, Dong stepped down from the Liberal Caucus on Wednesday evening and is currently sitting as an Independent MP.
All Levels of Government
The concerns about China’s intervention have expanded beyond federal elections, with reports that provincial and municipal politics may also have been targeted. Ontario Premier Doug Ford revealed that his former Chief of Staff was briefed by CSIS last fall about Progressive Conservative Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) Vincent Ke. MPP Ke resigned from caucus on March 10 and currently sits as an Independent. A 2022 CSIS report outlined that the Chinese consulate in Vancouver sought to interfere in the 2022 municipal election. Additionally, the former mayor of Vancouver revealed that CSIS had briefed him earlier that year on foreign interference attempts. However, current Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim refuted allegations against him.
Actions Taken
As a result of the growing controversy, the Prime Minister shared that the government would appoint an Independent Special Rapporteur, former Governor General David Johnston, to investigate and provide recommendations on foreign interference by May 23, which the government has committed to following. Opposition parties criticized this action, voting in favour of an NDP motion calling for a public inquiry into the matter and disapproving of the connections between Johnston and Trudeau. Additionally, the Minister of Public Safety announced the launch of consultations to develop a Foreign Influence Transparency Registry. Finally, following pressure from opposition parties, the Prime Minister declared that his Chief of Staff, Katie Telford, would appear at PROC following attempts to prevent her appearance.
What to Expect Next?
As reports continue to reveal pieces of the puzzle, it is difficult to predict where this issue goes next. Calls for a public inquiry continue to ring loudly, and it is possible that Johnston in his role as Special Rapporteur may ultimately recommend this as the desired course of action. In the meantime, we can look forward to the Foreign Influence Transparency Registry, Telford’s two-hour appearance at PROC in early April, and continuous pushes by opposition parties for greater scrutiny on this issue over the next few weeks.
