India questions still not going away

Last week, I wrote at length about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s recent trip to India and addressed some of the criticisms that had been levied.

For example, there were allegations that the prime minister, and members of his cabinet, are sympathetic to radicalized operatives who support the Khalistan separatist movement in India.

At the time I wrote the report, I defended the prime minister and stated that I believed that Mr. Trudeau had attempted to refute these allegations and stated Canada’s long support for a united India.

The day after, it was revealed that the prime minister had a guest invited to an official event who was convicted of an “an act of terrorism” after a failed attempt to assassinate an Indian cabinet minister visiting Vancouver Island back in 1986.

The presence of this individual created an international uproar that led to the prime minister’s office engaging in damage control.

At one point Mr. Trudeau’s own, handpicked national security adviser was put forward in a confidential news conference. Quoting from a reporter at the news conference, this high ranking official was “peddling what must be one of the most bizarre conspiracy theories ever advanced by a Canadian government,” suggesting “the terrorist invited by the Liberals to Mumbai, may have been planted there by the Indian government or maybe by Indian security agencies or perhaps by factions in the Indian government.”

Soon after this news conference, the prime minister and his office realized that the media were not buying into this unusual conspiracy so it was suggested that a lone Liberal MP from British Columbia was responsible for the invite. The prime minister solemnly assured Canadians that this MP would receive a stern talking to once back in Canada.

Subsequently, this MP apologized, took responsibility and resigned his chairmanship of the B.C. Pacific Liberal Caucus.

This appeared to be the end of this sad and embarrassing situation until the prime minister was asked about the validity of the conspiracy theory in question period.

To the surprise of many, Mr. Trudeau stated, while standing in the House of Commons, that when a national security official says something to Canadians, it's because they know it to be true.

In other words, Mr. Trudeau doubled down on the conspiracy theory.

To date, the Liberal government has provided no evidence to substantiate this serious international accusation.

In an almost unprecedented event, the Indian government issued an official response denying the allegations in their entirety and by extension questioned the credibility of Prime Minister Trudeau.

Since that time, numerous pictures of the convicted terrorist have been circulating that show the individual and Mr. Trudeau together at various points in time. Serious concerns remain, yet to be answered by Mr. Trudeau or Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale.

As a result, the Opposition tabled a motion at the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security (known as SECU) to meet with Mr. Trudeau’s National Security Adviser and learn more about this alleged conspiracy theory.

Unfortunately, the Liberal members of this committee used their majority to block this motion.

Given that the former head of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service has also cast doubt on Mr. Trudeau’s conspiracy theory, many are deeply concerned over this lack of transparency that directly question the credibility of the PM.

My question this week: How do you view the outcome of Mr. Trudeau’s trip to India given these recent developments?

I can be reached at Dan.Albas@parl.gc.ca or call toll free 1-800-665-8711.