Canada Global(Web News)The hearing in the federal investigation into foreign interference in the federal elections began yesterday. The hearing will last for two weeks and more than 40 testimonies are expected to be recorded.
The hearing will investigate possible foreign interference by China, India, Russia and others in the last two federal elections.
The commission of inquiry, chaired by Quebec judge Marie-Josie Hogue, is expected to hear testimony from more than 40 people, including community members, political party representatives and federal election officials.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, members of his cabinet and various senior government officials will also attend the hearings, which continue until April 10. A preliminary report of the commission’s findings after the hearings will be submitted on May 3.
The inquiry will then shift to broader policy issues, with a final report expected by the end of the year looking at the government’s ability to detect and counter foreign interference.
It is worth noting that attempts to interfere in Canadian affairs have been a reality for some time. A 1986 intelligence report warned that Beijing was using overt political tactics and covert operations to influence and exploit Chinese expatriates living in Canada.
In February last year, the Globe and Mail newspaper cited records from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service as saying that China was working to defeat conservative politicians while helping ensure a liberal minority win in the 2021 general election. doing.
The federal government announced that an independent reporter would investigate foreign interference.
Former Governor-General David Johnston, who will soon take office, said in a report that intelligence transfers and processing procedures from security agencies to the government in the need for “significant reforms”.
However, they found no indication of deliberate or reckless failure to act on intelligence, advice or recommendations by ministers, the prime minister or their offices.
