• Investing
  • Stock
Round Table Thoughts
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Home Economy Trudeau expands probe into claims Canadian lawmakers conspired with China, India to sway elections
Economy

Trudeau expands probe into claims Canadian lawmakers conspired with China, India to sway elections

by June 11, 2024
by June 11, 2024 0 comment
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday ceded to opposition pressure to expand a public investigation into allegations some members of Parliament and senators knowingly conspired with foreign adversaries, including China and India, to influence elections and politics at home. 

After reviewing 4,000 classified documents and 1,000 pieces of evidence, the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) released a special report last week claiming unnamed federal-level elected officials have been ‘in the words of the intelligence services, ‘semi-witting or witting’ participants in the efforts of foreign states to interfere in our politics.’ 

Trudeau was asked about the report at a press conference in Quebec City on Monday. 

‘Mr. Trudeau, you’ve seen the NSICOP report. Do you think the allegations in it rise to the level of treason?’ a reporter said.

Trudeau responded: ‘I think it’s extremely important that we continue to take foreign interference with all the seriousness that it requires, which is why we will be supporting the Bloc Québécois motion to send the report and the concerns raised in it to Commissioner [Marie-Josée] Hogue’s work to make sure there is a clear process whereby Canadians can have confidence in the integrity of the democracy.’ 

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called on Truduea’s Liberal government to name the lawmakers referenced in the redacted report, but Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc said doing so would be against the law. LeBlance said he did agree, however, to an expanded public inquiry sought by the Bloc Québécois. 

The Bloc Québécois introduced a motion to broaden the scope of the Hogue Commission, which was already investigating foreign interference and elected meddling since September, ‘to investigate parliamentarians who may have voluntarily or involuntarily worked for the interests of powers foreign.’ Trudeau first tasked Justice Marie-Josée Hogue with leading the commission last fall amid allegations the Chinese government mobilized voters against a Conservative candidate in western Canada and helped elect another candidate as a Liberal in the Toronto area, Politico reported. 

‘Certain members of this House acted in the best interest of hostile foreign regimes interfering in Canada’s democracy. This is a disgusting betrayal of Canadians who elected us,’ Conservative party legislator Jasraj Singh Hallan told the House of Commons on Monday, according to Reuters. 

‘It is unacceptable that deputies or senators can serve, whether without their knowledge or not, as intermediaries for foreign powers hostile to our democracy,’ René Villemure, Bloc Québécois ethics spokesperson, said in a statement. 

It is unclear, however, if the report will result in criminal charges.

At another point of the press conference Monday, Trudeau took an opportunity instead to condemn conservative and far-right party wins in France and elsewhere following the European Parliament elections. European voters largely rejected socialism and leftist policies at the polls on Sunday. 

‘We have seen around the world a rise of populist right-wing forces in just about every democracy that we’ve seen. And it is of concern to see political parties choosing to instrumentalize anger, fear, division, anxiety,’ Trudeau said. ‘My approach has always been to respond to it. To understand it and to look to solve it. Roll up our sleeves, work hard and with ambition for this country and for our future. And I continue to be convinced that Canadians are thoughtful about the challenges we’re facing and ready to see them solved, rather than allow themselves – have their anger amplified without any solutions offered.’ 

The special report on ‘foreign interference in Canada’s democratic processes and institutions’ was released by the NSICOP on June 3. Its findings include that the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and Communications Security Establishment (CSE) ‘produced a body of intelligence that showed that foreign actors used deceptive and clandestine methods to cultivate relationships with Canadians who they believed would be useful in advancing their interests – particularly members of Parliament and senators – with a view of having the Canadian act in favour of the foreign actor and against Canada’s interests.’ 

While in some cases, ‘parliamentarians were unaware they were the target of foreign interference,’ the reports noted how ‘some elected officials, however, began wittingly assisting foreign state actors soon after their election.’ The report was redacted to remove ‘injurious or privileged information,’ but indicates there are ‘examples of members of Parliament who worked to influence their colleagues on India’s behalf and proactively provided confidential information to Indian officials.’ 

Without using the lawmaker’s name, the redacted report mentions another ‘textbook example of foreign interference that saw a foreign state support a witting politician.’ 

Canada’s intelligence agency ‘provided specific intelligence to the secret-cleared representatives of the party shortly before the election and to the Prime Minister shortly after’ and Trudeau ‘discussed this incident with the Committee and the steps he took in response to the intelligence reporting,’ the special report says, redacting the specifics. 

The People’s Republic of China has remained ‘the largest foreign interference threat to Canada,’ but since 2019, the committee assessed, Russia, which once came in second place, focused its strategic priorities elsewhere, while India emerged as the ‘second-most significant foreign interference threat to Canada’s democratic institutions and processes.’ 

‘The PRC’s foreign interference efforts continue to be sophisticated, persistent and multidimensional, targeting all orders of Canadian government and various facets of society and relying upon a number of methods,’ the report says. 

The CSIS assessed that the Chinese government ‘believes that its relationship with some members of Parliament rests on a quid pro quo that any member’s engagement with the PRC will result in the PRC mobilizing its network in the member’s favour.’ The report notes the PRC ‘would show support for lawmakers in ridings with large numbers of ethnic Chinese voters and who maintain close relationships with the Chinese ethnocultural community, including through Chinese leader and business people.’

‘In the period under review, intelligence reporting from CSIS and CSE showed that foreign states attempted to covertly buy influence with candidates and elected officials,’ the report says.

The PRC was also said to have used ‘intermediaries to provide funds likely to support candidates in the 2019 federal election, including two transfers of funds approximating $250,000 through a prominent community leader, a political staffer and then an Ontario member of Provincial Parliament,’ but the report said ‘CSIS could not confirm that the funds reached any candidate.’ 

Also redacted from the report were details about ‘CSIS information that an Indian proxy claims to have repeatedly transferred funds from India to politicians at all levels of government in return for political favours, including raising issues in Parliament at the proxy’s request.’ 

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
You Might Also Like
  • Saudi Arabia pushes for US defense pact as 2024 presidential election looms
  • Byron Donalds urges House GOP leaders to hold vote on Biden impeachment after bombshell report
  • Top conservative group hammers House Republicans for passing short-term funding bill
  • McCarthy takes victory lap on debt limit bill as details remain scarce among House members
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

previous post
Will Hunter Biden guilty verdicts impact his father’s rematch with Trump in 2024 presidential election?
next post
Biden faces ‘major political blowback’ if he flip-flops on Hunter pardon: experts

You may also like

Harris’ favorability sees dramatic spike after Biden drops out: poll

July 28, 2024

Trump campaign calls DeSantis ‘thirsty OnlyFans wannabe’ for debating Newsom:...

December 1, 2023

Cruz ‘accepts’ Twitter user’s proposal that would bar Democrat-passed bills...

July 3, 2023

Trump blasts Justice Department Hunter Biden indictment as ‘only crime’...

September 15, 2023

Lawmakers reveal AI concerns over ‘future of humanity’ following OpenAI...

May 20, 2023

Ocean Shipping’s Effect on Inflation was Negligible

December 14, 2022

George Santos delivers speech on Holocaust remembrance after lying about...

January 28, 2023

Russia hopes classified document scandal upends Biden, creates hurdle to...

January 16, 2023

2024 Watch: Tim Scott laying out $8 million to run...

August 17, 2023

Could verdict in Trump criminal trial upend the presidential election?

May 29, 2024

    Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent Posts

    • The V Reversal is Impressive, but is it Enough?

      May 9, 2025
    • Krispy Kreme stock plunges after doughnut chain pauses McDonald’s rollout, pulls outlook

      May 8, 2025
    • Don’t Buy Robinhood Stock… Until You See This Chart Setup

      May 8, 2025
    • UnitedHealthcare sued by shareholders over reaction to CEO’s killing

      May 8, 2025
    • The Unpredictable Stock Market: How to Make Sense of It

      May 8, 2025

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be...

      June 27, 2024 2,633 views
    • 2

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as...

      August 9, 2024 2,339 views
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese...

      June 25, 2024 2,321 views
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful...

      July 10, 2024 2,303 views
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility...

      August 29, 2024 2,186 views

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,066)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,531)

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be revived under new House GOP bill

      June 27, 2024
    • 2

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as Harris camp blasts ‘lying’ critics

      August 9, 2024
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese businesses to Delaware: ‘Longtime friends’

      June 25, 2024
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful of Chinese spy threats

      July 10, 2024
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility that collaborated with ‘Chinese military company’

      August 29, 2024

    Latest News

    • The V Reversal is Impressive, but is it Enough?

      May 9, 2025
    • Krispy Kreme stock plunges after doughnut chain pauses McDonald’s rollout,...

      May 8, 2025
    • Don’t Buy Robinhood Stock… Until You See This Chart Setup

      May 8, 2025

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,066)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,531)

    Disclaimer: RoundTableThoughts.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2024 RoundTableThoughts.com. All Rights Reserved.

    Round Table Thoughts
    • Investing
    • Stock
    Round Table Thoughts
    • Economy
    • Editor’s Pick

    Read alsox

    Green groups targeting blue-collar lobstermen are...

    February 6, 2023

    EURUSD and GBPUSD: GBPUSD under pressure...

    September 30, 2024

    Vance’s office doubles down ‘impeachment time...

    February 16, 2024
    Sign In

    Keep me signed in until I sign out

    Forgot your password?

    Password Recovery

    A new password will be emailed to you.

    Have received a new password? Login here