Trudeau Set to Testify Before Foreign Election Interference Inquiry

Trudeau Set to Testify Before Foreign Election Interference Inquiry
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks to the media following a bilateral meeting with Quebec Premier Francois Legault in Montreal, on March 15, 2024. The Canadian Press/Christinne Muschi
Chris Tomlinson
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is set to testify before the public inquiry into foreign interference, along with other senior government officials, as hearings resume on March 27 to examine the extent of foreign interference in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections.

In a March 22 press release, the Commission on Foreign Interference stated that over 40 individuals will be involved in the hearings, including current and former elected officials, representatives of Elections Canada and the Office of the Commissioner of Canada Elections, along with current and former senior government officials, members of cabinet, and Mr. Trudeau.

Commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue commented on the goal of the hearings, saying she hopes they will give Canadians “a better understanding of the foreign interference threats our electoral system may have faced in the 2019 and 2021 elections, the protective mechanisms that were in place, and the potential impact, if any, on the integrity of the elections.”

A schedule of witnesses who will appear before the commission is expected to be released next week, according to the press release. The commission is expected to produce an interim report in May and a final report in December.

The foreign interference commission was created in response to concerns about foreign interference, primarily by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections.

The inquiry was formed after pressure by Opposition parties, and has been rife with controversy and criticism by rights groups and the Conservative Party.

At least two groups have called for a boycott of the commission, including the Canadian Friends of Hong Kong (CFHK) and the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project, over the full standing it granted to politicians that, according to media citing CSIS documents, are alleged to be linked to the Chinese consulate.

With full standing, the individuals can question witnesses and access some of the non-public documents, which rights groups say endangers the security of witnesses.

Conservatives have also been critical of the inquiry, saying they should have been granted the same full standing as the federal government. CSIS leaks reported by media say the CCP targeted the Conservatives they weren’t elected.

Opposition parties will have an opportunity to cross-examine witnesses. Former Conservative Leader and MP Erin O'Toole, who has been targeted by the CCP due to his strong stance against the Chinese regime, will also be allowed to cross-examine witnesses.
The first phase of the inquiry in February saw some heavily redacted CSIS documents released, despite promises that the inquiry would try to make as much information public as possible.
The Liberal government initially resisted calls to hold an inquiry into foreign interference, instead appointing former Governor General David Johnston as special rapporteur on foreign interference. He later resigned under pressure amid conflict of interest concerns related to his past ties to the Trudeau family.