Only the Acuity of the Common Man Can Save Liberal Democracy From Itself

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau thumbs through the “First Report” by David Johnston, special rapporteur on foreign Interference, during a press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 23, 2023. (The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick)

Commentary

It’s becoming increasingly difficult to overlook the lack of respect our liberal-progressive political class has for the intelligence of the average citizen.

Since the pandemic, political authorities have become convinced they can say or do just about anything they please.

Take, for example, the recent actions of Canada’s federal government to bypass a serious investigation into the security of our elections.

Early in March, Epoch Times journalist Tara Maclsaac drew attention to a Globe and Mail story detailing alleged attempts to interfere in Canada’s 2021 federal election by the People’s Republic of China.

Evidence revealed that Beijing allegedly favored the election of a minority Liberal government and the defeat of Conservatives considered to be critical of the Beijing regime.

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre claimed Canadian intelligence services had been warning the prime minister about foreign election interference for years. The Leader of the Opposition said, “He’s covered it up and even encouraged it to continue,” Maclsaac reported.

Just before The Epoch Times focused attention on these allegations, CBC News pointed out that no real investigation of the matter appeared to be underway. Parliamentary Bureau journalist John Paul Tasker said, “... there are no active RCMP investigations underway into the last election.”

The Waltz of the Rapporteur

In March, fresh allegations about Chinese Communist Party (CCP) meddling in Canada led to a motion in the House of Commons calling for a public inquiry into foreign election interference. The motion passed with 172 votes in favor. But, instead of respecting the wishes of members of Parliament (MPs), Prime Minister Justin Trudeau opted for a considerably less transparent process.

The PM chose to appoint an “independent rapporteur” with a mandate to make recommendations to combat interference. Given the usual sensitivity around national security issues, some considered this to be a reasonable option. That was until the PM announced the “rapporteur” was to be longtime Trudeau family friend, David Johnston.

Before the appointment, I actually said to my wife that the “rapporteur” will be Johnston. She said, “You think so?” I said, “I know so.”

With the “rapporteur” in place throughout April and May, the press continued to report on allegations about a string of interference attempts made by the Chinese regime. A majority of MPs called for a public inquiry, but it was up to Johnston to decide whether or not one would be necessary.

From the end of May through early June, Blacklock’s Reporter raised troubling questions about Johnston’s investigation. Why did he depend on the assistance of a loyal Liberal Party donor, and why was he so quick to contend that the PM, cabinet, and government officials were blameless?

Johnston claimed his friendship with Trudeau was insignificant. The PM argued that since Johnston was appointed to high office by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the former governor general was a perfect choice to conduct a neutral investigation.

Shortly after, the Blacklock Reporter disclosed a 2010 radio interview in which Trudeau described Johnston as a frequent dinner companion with whom he had “great conversations.”

After considerable equivocating by Johnston and Trudeau about how well their families knew each other from ski vacations in the Laurentian mountains, Poilievre asserted: David Johnston is Trudeau’s “ski buddy, chalet neighbor, family friend, and member of the Trudeau Foundation. He has no business in this job because it is a fake job that he is incapable of doing impartially.”

Many grassroots Canadians thought the Leader of the Opposition had a good point.

On May 30, Blacklock reported that Johnston refused to take questions from MPs about his work at the Trudeau Foundation. Members of the Commons public accounts committee threatened to issue a summons.

The New Democratic Party (NDP) continued to call for a public inquiry. But at the same time, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh pledged to continue supporting Trudeau until 2025. Singh told the press that withdrawing support and triggering a snap election made no sense.

On June 1, Blacklock reported that the Commons voted 174 to 150 to fire Johnston as the cabinet’s “special rapporteur” on Chinese subterfuge. Johnston rejected the vote, saying that his “mandate comes from the government” and he doesn’t answer to MPs.

Early in June, Liberal and NDP members of the House public accounts committee spared Johnston from a summons to testify about his work as a member of the Trudeau Foundation.

Under considerable public pressure, Johnston agreed to testify at a separate hearing of the House affairs committee about his role as “special rapporteur” on alleged election fraud by Chinese agents.

On June 9, The Epoch Times reported that Johnston would finally resign from his role as special rapporteur, citing a “highly partisan atmosphere” that developed around his appointment. Apparently, the former governor general will not be deterred from producing a final report before the end of June.

Tawdry Deceptions Destroy Faith in Democracy

While Johnston was announcing his resignation, Blacklock reported on a Canadian Public Health Agency study indicating that citizens have developed an “increased distrust of government and science.” Only 22 percent now say they trust federal agencies.

Tawdry deceptions and outright abuses of power have become routine in the left-liberal regimes that make up what used to be regarded as the free world. Little respect remains for the rule of law, open inquiry, and the participation of citizens.

Given the powerful global plurality of neo-Marxist ideologues that are presently running our national governments, it will take considerable courage for common men and women to save liberal democracy from itself.

Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.