Inquiry into claims of China election meddling ruled out
Decision by Trudeau appointee on sensitivity of intelligence described as cover-up by opponents
A Canadian government appointee has rejected holding a public inquiry into leaked intelligence that alleged China interfered in the country’s federal elections, drawing allegations of a cover-up from the Conservative opposition.
Opposition lawmakers have demanded a full public inquiry over the alleged interference since reports about it this year by The Globe & Mail newspaper.
It cited unidentified intelligence sources saying China preferred to see Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberals re-elected in the 2021 election and worked to defeat Conservative politicians considered unfriendly to Beijing.
Trudeau appointee David Johnston announced recommendations on Tuesday saying that a public inquiry into the leaked materials could not take place because of the sensitivity of the intelligence.
However, he recommended public hearings on broader issues, including on foreign influence in Canada’s political system.
Johnston wrote that he found no example of Trudeau, his ministers or their offices “knowingly ignoring intelligence, advice or recommendations on foreign interference or being driven by partisan considerations in dealing with these issues”.
Trudeau said he would abide by Johnston’s recommendation to not hold a public inquiry.
China has repeatedly denied any interference. Beijing’s embassy in Ottawa again denied meddling on Tuesday, and a spokesman said the leaks were part of a campaign “to smear China”.
Opposition Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre immediately slammed Johnston’s recommendation, saying that it covered up Beijing’s influence in Canada. He also alleged that Johnston was compromised because he had family ties with Trudeau.
Trudeau appointed Johnston, a family friend and a widely respected former governor general, to study the issue in March and make recommendations.
Johnston said the government had neither ignored, nor failed to act on, the intelligence and said media reports on the leaked intelligence lacked context.
“The leaks are based on partial information. In some cases documents don’t tell the full story,” he said.
The governor general is the representative of Britain’s monarch as head of state, and holds a mostly symbolic position.
Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper appointed Johnston governor general in 2010 and his term was extended under Trudeau until 2017. Johnston is also a former member of the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation.
“David Johnson is a ski buddy, chalet neighbour, family friend and member of the Trudeau foundation … none of his recommendations can be taken seriously because he is in a conflict of interest,” Poilievre said.