Johnston already set to testify at committee
Singh asks PM for conditions before getting security clearance
Canada’s foreign interference watchdog David Johnston was already scheduled to testify before opposition MPs demanded his appearance in a letter this week, a parliamentary committee chair said Thursday.
Liberal MP Bardish Chagger said at a hearing the House of Commons procedure committee invited Johnston to appear two months ago, and he is already scheduled to appear in less than two weeks.
Opposition members of the committee wrote a letter this week demanding Johnston’s testimony after his first report on alleged foreign meddling was published Tuesday.
The Conservative, NDP and Bloc Québécois MPs said they want the former governor general to explain why he decided against recommending a public inquiry on foreign meddling.
Liberal MPs accused Conservatives of being irresponsible by implying that there was any reluctance on Johnston’s part to talk to the committee.
“There is no lengths the opposition will not go to tarnish an individual’s reputation ... who, to me, does not deserve it in any way,” said Liberal MP Ryan Turnbull.
“They don’t like the conclusions in the report, so they’re trying to create the misconception that he’s not forthcoming or willing to come to our committee, which is the opposite of the truth.”
Conservatives have also raised concerns that Johnston is too close to the Liberals, saying the prime minister has previously described him as a “family friend” and he became a member of the Pierre Elliott Trudeau foundation after stepping down as governor general. Johnston has pushed back against the conflict-of-interest allegations.
Chagger said Johnston has agreed to testify for two hours on June 6, including about the contents of his report.
NDP MP Rachel Blaney told the committee that she’s not content with Johnston’s report, as her party continues to push for a public inquiry.
“For me, the focus has always been how serious this is and how important it is for Canadians to trust their institutions,” Blaney said.
“It’s disappointing that we’re here, and really outlines the reality that Canadians need to see a process that is transparent, clear and they can have trust in. This process is not feeling (like) that.”
Johnston said that a formal public inquiry would not work to investigate issues of alleged foreign interference in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections because much of the classified information he has reviewed would need to remain secret.
He said in his report that making that information public would run the risk of breaching the trust of Canada’s security allies and endangering intelligence sources.
Opposition parties have continued calling for a public inquiry in the wake of that report, but Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he is abiding by Johnston’s recommendation not to hold one.
Meanwhile, NDP Leader Jagmeet
Singh is asking the prime minister to allow more members of his party to be briefed on foreign interference attempts, after the leaders of the Conservatives and Bloc Québécois declined to obtain the required security clearance.
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday, Singh said he wants those two spots given to members of his team who would accompany him in the briefings.
Singh also asked Trudeau for a briefing on how much he can and cannot say after reviewing the intelligence.
“I expect that I would be able to speak ... freely about my conclusions based on the intelligence I am allowed to view and that my ability to be critical of the government’s actions will not be constrained,” Singh said in his letter to Trudeau.
“I will be seeking assurances on this point in writing,”
The Prime Minister’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Tory Leader Pierre Poilievre and Bloc Leader Yves-François Blanchet both suggested in rejecting Trudeau’s offer that it seemed like a way to trap them into agreeing not to speak about the allegations in public.
Special rapporteur David Johnston said in his first report on foreign interference Tuesday that opposition leaders should take the opportunity to see how he reached his conclusions about alleged interference attempts in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections.
Johnston said the confidential information would be provided to those who got the right security