Global News Says Reporting on MP Han Dong Based on Several Independent Intelligence Sources

Han Dong, then an Ontario provincial Liberal candidate for Trinity—Spadina, at a rally with supporters in Toronto on May 22, 2014. Dong resigned from the Liberal caucus on March 22, 2023, after a Global News report alleged he had advised a Chinese diplomat that Beijing should postpone freeing two Canadians being detained in China, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor. The Canadian Press/Nathan Denette

Global News defended its recent report alleging that former Liberal MP Han Dong had discussions with a Chinese diplomat on delaying the release of two Canadian citizens detained by Beijing. The news outlet has said its reporting relied on two to three sources familiar with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service’s (CSIS) investigation into foreign interference that were “rigorously checked.”

In a statement of defence filed to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice on June 6, Global News defended its report published on March 22 by investigative journalist Sam Cooper. The report cited two anonymous national security sources, accusing Dong of advising the Chinese consul general in Toronto in February 2021 that Beijing should postpone freeing Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, who had been arbitrarily held by Beijing for more than two years at the time.

“The information provided by Cooper’s sources was rigorously checked and cross-referenced with other Global News sources and documentation in order that their credibility could be assessed. Published allegations were based on information from two or three sources with knowledge of CSIS investigations into foreign interference,” the court document said.

Dong resigned from the Liberal caucus the same day the Global News report was published, saying that he would focus on clearing his name. Dong, who now sits as an independent MP, filed a $15 million libel lawsuit against Global News and its parent company, Corus Entertainment, in April, arguing that its reporting about him was “malicious, false, and defamatory.”

Defence

In the libel lawsuit, Dong also complained about another article by Cooper, published on Feb. 25, which also cited national security sources who said CSIS had warned Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and senior aides about Chinese interference just weeks ahead of Canada’s 2019 federal election. The article said Dong was among 11 Toronto-area candidates who had received support from Beijing.

The statement of defence noted that the concerns about foreign interference in Canada are of “immense public interest” and that the national security sources—who faced great risks in disclosing the sensitive information—believed that “the serious risks associated with disclosing this information were outweighed by the public importance of the information.”

Specifically, the statement of defence said that “two separate national security sources alleged that during this discussion Dong suggested that China delay freeing Mr. Korvig and Mr. Spavor as to do otherwise would benefit the opposition Conservative Party of Canada.”

“Security sources allege that following the discussion between Dong and China’s Consul General, CSIS deliberated as to whether the conversation was within Dong’s purview as an MP to find solutions or whether Dong was acting outside of appropriate diplomatic channels,” it said.

Global News also argued that its stories did not “claim as fact that the Plaintiff was involved in China’s attempts at interference,” but rather referred to allegations from the national security sources that “CSIS had concerns about, and was monitoring, Dong.”

Global’s reports, along with widespread coverage by other media, triggered calls for a public inquiry and prompted Trudeau to appoint David Johnston as a special rapporteur to look into the Chinese interference.

Johnston’s first report, released last month, concluded that allegations about Dong’s advice to the Chinese diplomat were “false,” and that a public inquiry into Chinese election interference was not necessary. On June 6, while testifying before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, Johnston said that the Global allegations against Dong were false because they were a misinterpretation of intelligence.

Johnston’s report faced widespread criticism by opposition parties, with MPs voting in favour of a motion demanding that he step down as special rapporteur. A recent survey also showed that more than 70 percent of Canadians find Johnston unfit for the role.

Cooper, meanwhile, has changed his profile description on his Twitter account to “formerly with Postmedia and Global News.”

Noé Chartier and Peter Wilson contributed to this report.