As the public inquiry into foreign interference in Canadian politics concludes its first week of hearings, questions have been raised that would undermine its credibility, how it operates and who has been granted intervenor status.
The commission, chaired by Justice Marie-Josée Hogue of the Quebec Court of Appeal, seeks to expose the interference of China, Russia, India and all other actors, federal or non-federal, in the recent federal election. And also how information about foreign interference circulated within the federal administration. However, his access to government documents will be restricted.
The case was launched after a source within CSIS leaked to Toronto media that the Trudeau government knew Beijing had intervened on its behalf in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections. CSIS and RCMP continue to conduct a criminal investigation to catch the courageous “licker” who acted in the public interest.
Woo: Red in Ottawa, red in Beijing
How could Commissioner Hogue give Senator Yuen Pau Woo the right to participate in the investigation as a full participant when he follows the Chinese Communist Party line? Woo was head of the liberal-leaning Independent Senators Group until 2022.
Groups targeted by the CCP in Canada (Uyghurs and Hong Kongers) opposed his participation and that of two other Liberal politicians of Chinese origin, Han Dong and Michael Chan. There are fears that their interventions could deter witnesses from speaking freely. The three men deny having worked for Beijing.
The coalition should have restricted its access to testimony and its ability to interview witnesses.
However, Commissioner Hogue rejected the Conservative Party's request for full participant status: some of its MPs were targeted by the Chinese communists. It gave the PC the status of a mere intervener. The Conservative Party called Hogue's decision “deeply worrying” and rightly said it “undermines the credibility of the entire process.”
Another question about how the Hogue Commission works is raised every time Canadian intelligence operations are the subject of a public inquiry. They always point out the danger of exposing their working methods and their human sources and refusing to publish documents. We could also add their mistakes and shortcomings and sometimes even their criminal actions. See the Keable and McDonald Commissions.
Chinese missing from Winnipeg lab
This is another puzzling case of Chinese interference in Canada. A few Chinese scientists from the Wuhan lab and with ties to the Chinese military worked at the Winnipeg microbiology lab, the main virus research center in Canada.
One of them was even responsible for a part of the special research program on pathogens. They were abruptly dismissed from their positions in July 2019. When asked about the reasons for her firing, Justin Trudeau dodged the question. Just like he did with China's interference in the liberal elections.
However, it is extremely serious: Canada's main infectious disease laboratory provided assistance with virus research that may have benefited the Chinese army.
The two Chinese disappeared without a trace. At the moment everything indicates that they have managed to escape to China. The RCMP is still investigating. It would also be worthy of a public inquiry.