A report by a special rapporteur was met with anger from Canadian conservatives who pushed for a public inquiry.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government is ignoring evidence of Chinese meddling, a special rapporteur said Tuesday after reviewing media reports based on leaked intelligence that said Beijing was seeking to influence elections and policy.
Trudeau welcomed the report but opposition parties continued to push for a public inquiry.
In March, the government appointed David Johnston, a former governor general of Canada, as a special rapporteur to investigate media coverage of intelligence reports alleging multiple cases of Chinese interference. Johnston was also tasked with advising whether to conduct an official public inquest.
“I have not found instances of the government knowingly ignoring intelligence, advice or recommendations on foreign interference, or making decisions based on partisan considerations in dealing with these issues,” Johnston said in a 55-page report.
China has repeatedly denied any interference. Beijing’s embassy in Ottawa again denied interference on Tuesday and a spokesman said the leaks were part of a campaign “to discredit China”.
The Independent Special Rapporteur, the Right Honorable David Johnston, has released his first report. We will take the steps necessary to implement his recommendations – and we will continue to act to strengthen and protect our democracy. More here: https://t.co/abE0W2h6O1
– Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) May 23, 2023
Johnston had access to classified memos and conducted interviews with the prime minister as well as other Cabinet members and top intelligence officials. He found that many of the leaks were based on “limited and partial intelligence” or even false information.
“However, there are many management deficiencies in the way intelligence is communicated from security agencies to various government departments,” he added.
The prime minister is under pressure from opposition parties in parliament to open a public inquiry into foreign election interference. But if Johnston recommended one in Tuesday’s report, Trudeau said he would follow his advice.
A public inquiry “will prolong, but not improve, the process”, the report said. It explained that much of the inquest must be secret because of the classified nature of the information.
Johnston urged opposition leaders to get clearance to read secret parts of his report but if they did, they would be forced by law not to reveal the details publicly.
“I will not be silenced,” said Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre. “This report is falsified from the beginning and has no credibility”. Poilievre accused Johnston of being a friend of the Trudeau family, which Johnston denied.
Conservatives have accused Trudeau of ignoring intelligence reports because the interference benefited his Liberal Party in the election. Members of the left-leaning New Democrats, who support Trudeau’s minority government in parliament, also want an inquest.
“We remain determined that a public inquiry is necessary to restore confidence in our electoral system,” new Democrat leader Jagmeet Singh told reporters.
Earlier this month, Trudeau’s government expelled a Chinese official after it emerged that he had sought information about the family of Conservative legislator Michael Chong, prompting China to expel a Canadian diplomat.
Instead of a new public inquest, Johnston said he would spend the next five months holding public hearings on the issue because “foreign governments are obviously trying to influence the candidates.” and Canadian voters”.