The Liberals reportedly ignored warnings from national security officials about a candidate accused of complicity in Chinese interference during the 2019 election.
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Three weeks before Canada’s federal election, national security agents reportedly sent a memo to members of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office warning them that Han Dong, then a former MP for Ontario, was part of the Chinese interference network, according to Global News. .
Canadian intelligence began investigating Mr Dong in June of the same year, also claiming he was one of 11 Beijing-backed candidates in the Toronto area ahead of the election.
Sources also said, on condition of anonymity, that China prefers Dong to rival Tan. “The consulate was not satisfied with Geng Tan’s performance,” the intelligence service said.
Other concerns raised by the service include that Chinese students with fake addresses were allegedly forced to vote for Dong, who is now an MP.
The memo also states that Dong was in close contact with Michael Chan, also an intelligence target.
Chan is said to have been involved in convincing Justin Trudeau’s office to support Dong instead of Tan.
The prime minister’s office on Thursday claimed the election had not been compromised.