The Conservative Party on Sunday demanded that Justin Trudeau’s chief of staff explain himself to members of the House of Commons after it was revealed the prime minister’s office ignored warnings of Chinese interference in Canada’s elections.
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Canadian Security Intelligence Agency (CSIS) warned Liberals three weeks before the 2019 general election that it was investigating one of its candidates, Han Dong, according to a report by Global News on Friday. CSIS found that the man, who was elected in 2019 and re-elected as federal representative for Don Valley North in 2021, was part of a group of 11 Toronto-area candidates whose candidatures were backed by China.
CSIS reportedly went so far as to recommend that Han Dong’s candidacy should be rejected by the Liberal Party, the sources told Global News.
“It would be beyond outrageous if our country’s prime minister were informed that one of his liberal candidates has been compromised by the Chinese Communist Party and is categorically refusing to do the right thing,” Conservative MP Michael Cooper said on Sunday.
Mr Cooper demanded that Mr Trudeau’s chief of staff, Katie Telford, be summoned to appear before the Standing Committee on Procedures and House Affairs to respond to the allegations and clarify what the Prime Minister’s office knows about Chinese interference.
The Globe and Mail and Global News have plunged the Liberal government into hot water in recent weeks by reporting information from CSIS about alleged Chinese aid to some Liberal candidates in 2019 and 2021.
Mr. Trudeau has since responded by assuring that the integrity of the elections was not compromised. He also blamed CSIS and criticized the leaking of information to the media.
“But with these latest media reports, Justin Trudeau and his administration can no longer flee or hide from these allegations. You have to tell the truth,” protested Michael Cooper.