This is a new role created as part of a series of measures aimed at combating foreign interference and increasing confidence in our federal electoral process and democratic institutions, the Office of the Prime Minister and Minister of Canada says in a press release .
The text also stipulates that this decision will come after consultation with all parties in the House of Commons.
However, the date of his assumption of office was not specified. The Prime Minister’s Office says it is working with Mr Johnston to complete his mandate in the coming days. The mandate will be published later, the statement said.
Mr. Johnston is a Canadian civil servant and an accomplished law professor. He was Canada’s 28th governor-general from 2010 to 2017, an important role in Canadian democracy, Trudeau’s office says.
He was also an adviser to former Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper in setting up a public inquiry into secret deals to secure Air Canada’s purchase of large numbers of Airbus aircraft.
“In this new role, Mr. Johnston will have a broad mandate to investigate the consequences of foreign interference in the last two federal elections and provide expert advice on how to better protect our democracy and maintain Canadians’ trust in it. »
— A quote from an excerpt of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office press release
The federal government assures that it will respect and implement its public recommendations, which may involve a formal investigation, judicial review or other independent review process.
Mr Johnston brings impeccable integrity, a wealth of experience and great skill, and I am confident that he will conduct an impartial review to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to preserve our democracy and maintain trust in him and to strengthen, said Mr. Johnston Trudeau, quoted in the press release.
On March 6, the prime minister announced his desire to appoint a prominent Canadian to the position. He also called on the heads of the House National Security and Intelligence Review Office (CPSNR) and National Security and Intelligence Review Office (OSSNR) heads to take urgent steps in the event of foreign interference.
The CPSNR works behind closed doors. It is made up of MPs from all recognized political parties in the House of Commons and Senators, all of whom have top-secret security clearances and are all permanently sworn to secrecy. The OSSNR is an organization that investigates national security and intelligence activities conducted by the government.
Opposition parties have been urging Mr Trudeau to open a public inquiry for several weeks. Former Prime Minister advisers such as Gerald Butts told The Globe and Mail it was necessary. A former chief returning officer did the same.
A series of reports from the Global Network and The Globe and Mail daily detailed the attempts at interference orchestrated by China during the last two federal election campaigns.
These allegations, leaked to the media by anonymous Canadian security agency sources, suggest that Beijing wanted to secure the re-election of Justin Trudeau’s Liberals – at the head of a minority government – at the expense of the Conservatives. Consulates have reportedly been pressured to mobilize members of the Sino-Canadian community.
The opposition continues to call for a public inquiry
In response to Johnston’s appointment, New Democrat MP Alexandre Boulerice said it was a good appointment and praised the former governor-general’s excellent reputation. However, he reiterated his party’s call for an independent public inquiry. This is an admission of weakness on the part of Justin Trudeau [confier] that decision to someone else, to a special rapporteur, when he should have shown leadership, Mr Boulerice said.
“I hope Mr Johnston will make a decision very quickly and that it will be a public inquiry. »
– A quote from Alexandre Boulerice, NDP MP
Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet also shot arrows at Justin Trudeau for failing to launch an independent public inquiry into allegations of foreign interference in the federal election.
Without judging Mr. Johnston’s service record, one can only say that Justin Trudeau has been adamant about not opening the public and independent inquiry now that everyone is demanding. “There is no question of using the special rapporteur’s mandate, the details and duration of which we do not yet know, to keep Parliament and the people in the dark,” Blanchet said in a written statement to Radio Canada.