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Canada Watchdog Rejects Call for Inquiry on China Meddling

  • Adviser says there’s no evidence Trudeau ignored intelligence
  • China accused of meddling in Canada’s 2019, 2021 elections
Justin Trudeau, Canada's prime minister, during the 2023 Liberal National Convention in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on Thursday May 4, 2023. Former Governor General David Johnston said Canada should hold hearings on foreign meddling in elections, but should not launch a formal public inquiry into allegations that Chinese diplomats interfered in recent federal campaigns. 

Justin Trudeau, Canada's prime minister, during the 2023 Liberal National Convention in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on Thursday May 4, 2023. Former Governor General David Johnston said Canada should hold hearings on foreign meddling in elections, but should not launch a formal public inquiry into allegations that Chinese diplomats interfered in recent federal campaigns. 

Photographer: David Kawai/Bloomberg
Updated on

Canada should hold hearings on foreign meddling in elections but shouldn’t launch a formal public inquiry into allegations that Chinese diplomats interfered in the past two federal campaigns, a watchdog appointed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau concluded.

Former Governor General David Johnston said foreign governments are trying to influence candidates and voters in Canada. However, there’s no convincing evidence that Trudeau’s government knowingly failed to act on national security intelligence on the issue, he said.