RCMP still probing meddling

Inquiry looking at possible interference by China, India, Russia

RCMP commissioner Mike Duheme says the police force has several open investigations into possible foreign interference in the last two general elections — probes that began only after the votes were counted.

Duheme declined to elaborate Thursday on the number or nature of the probes, citing the integrity of the investigations, privacy concerns and public safety.

“We don’t comment on ongoing investigations,” Duheme said after appearing at a federal commission of inquiry into foreign interference.

The hearings are part of the inquiry’s examination of possible meddling by China, India, Russia and others in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections.

Deputy RCMP commissioner

Mark Flynn provided few other details about the ongoing probes, but indicated to reporters that some of the leads emerged through individuals “speaking about their own experiences very publicly,” including in the House of Commons.

Former Conservative leader Erin O’Toole, Conservative MP Michael Chong and New Democrat MP Jenny Kwan have all been identified publicly as possible targets of foreign interference by China.

In a classified February interview with the inquiry, Duheme said the RCMP did not open any foreign interference-related criminal investigations during the last two general elections.

A public summary of the interview, tabled Thursday at the inquiry, reveals that Duheme also said none of the force’s partners referred intelligence to the Mounties that would have warranted such criminal investigations.

A former deputy minister of foreign affairs told the inquiry in a classified interview that Canada’s security and intelligence community has been closely monitoring attempted meddling by China. But Marta Morgan said such activity did not reach the threshold for taking diplomatic measures against Chinese officials.

The Communications Security Establishment, which monitors foreign signals intelligence, was alert to potential threats during both of the last two elections, said Dan Rogers, a former senior official with the agency.

The most significant piece of intelligence gathered during that period emerged after the 2021 election and involved allegations about the potential distribution of funds, he testified Thursday.

None of the RCMP’s partners referred intelligence to the Mounties that would have warranted such criminal investigations