No ‘Traitors’ in Parliament Colluding with Foreign States, Public Inquiry Finds

"Although these attempts are troubling and there is some concerning conduct by parliamentarians, there is no cause for widespread alarm," she wrote.

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A long-anticipated public inquiry into foreign election interference in Canada has concluded that while some attempts at meddling were detected, there is no evidence to suggest that parliamentarians are working as “traitors” with hostile foreign states. Commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue released her final report on Tuesday, offering a detailed assessment of foreign influence on Canada’s democratic system.

Commissioner Hogue’s comprehensive seven-volume report stated that while instances of foreign states attempting to curry favor with Canadian parliamentarians were uncovered, these efforts were “marginal and largely ineffective.”

“Although these attempts are troubling and there is some concerning conduct by parliamentarians, there is no cause for widespread alarm,” she wrote. Hogue also affirmed that there is no evidence to suggest that any parliamentarian owes their election to foreign entities. Furthermore, she noted that no federal laws or policies have been enacted or repealed due to foreign interference.

Her findings come after heightened concerns and debates following a 2023 intelligence report that claimed foreign interference attempts were targeting Canada’s electoral system.

The inquiry included testimony from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who claimed there was intelligence linking several parliamentarians, former lawmakers, and candidates within the Conservative Party of Canada to foreign interference. His statement sparked a fiery response from Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, who accused Trudeau of fabricating the claims.

“If Justin Trudeau has evidence to the contrary, he should share it with the public,” Poilievre said. “But he won’t – because he’s making it up.”

Despite the political tension, Hogue’s report found no evidence of criminal actions by lawmakers related to foreign meddling.

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Canada has faced mounting allegations of foreign interference in its electoral system over the past few years. Prominent among these are claims of Chinese involvement in influencing the outcomes of federal elections. In 2023, Canada expelled a Chinese diplomat after intelligence reports revealed attempts to intimidate a Canadian lawmaker critical of China’s treatment of its Uyghur Muslim minority. The report also highlighted India’s use of disinformation campaigns and pressure tactics against diaspora communities.

However, Hogue’s report reiterated that neither China nor India succeeded in altering the outcomes of Canada’s last two federal elections.

The inquiry’s report provided 51 recommendations aimed at safeguarding future elections. Roughly half of these are expected to be implemented before Canada’s next general election, which could occur as early as spring. Key proposals include measures to combat disinformation, enhance communication strategies, and protect diaspora communities from foreign interference.

Hogue emphasized that addressing disinformation is crucial, noting that it poses the greatest threat to Canada’s democratic institutions. “Democracies are under attack from all sides,” she said. “Foreign interference will never be fully eradicated, and it will always be necessary to counter it.”

The inquiry drew from testimony provided by over 100 witnesses and 60 experts, as well as the examination of tens of thousands of documents.

While Hogue reaffirmed that foreign interference occurred during Canada’s last two general elections, she underscored that it did not affect the outcomes. However, she criticized the federal government for poor communication regarding the issue, urging a more transparent approach to building public trust.

With the next election potentially months away, Hogue’s findings serve as a wake-up call for Canada to enhance its resilience against foreign interference. As she aptly concluded, “Countering foreign interference requires an all-encompassing effort that goes beyond the tools of government alone.”

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