Elections Watchdog Uninterested in Probing Alleged Foreign Influence on 2021 Liberal Candidate, Inquiry Hears

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau meets former Liberal candidate for Vancouver East, Josh Vander Vies, while joined by other Liberal candidates during a campaign event in downtown Vancouver, B.C., on Aug 18, 2021. The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick

Canada’s elections watchdog waited years to investigate allegations that a 2021 Liberal candidate benefitted from undisclosed donations from individuals with ties to China, according to evidence raised in the foreign interference inquiry.

The federal elections commissioner was “less interested in the issue,” according to evidence submitted during the March 28 hearing on alleged Chinese election interference.