MPs to Vote on Questioning Special Rapporteur Johnston on Foreign Interference Investigation

Former governor general David Johnston appears before a Commons committee reviewing his nomination as elections debates commissioner on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

MPs on a House of Commons committee are set to vote this week on a motion calling for former governor general David Johnston—the recently appointed special rapporteur tasked with investigating foreign interference in Canada’s last two elections—to appear at committee for questioning about his work.

NDP MP Rachel Blaney recently served notice that she will ask the Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs to vote on the motion this week, according to Blacklock’s Reporter.

Blaney is asking that the committee call on Johnston to appear for questioning “no later than the week of April 24.”

Johnston was appointed special rapporteur by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on March 15 and was given his mandate on March 21.

Johnston’s tasks include reviewing the work of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians and the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency and recommending any additional mechanisms or processes he believes necessary to prevent foreign interference.

Johnston may also recommend the federal government call for an independent public inquiry on election interference before May 23, 2023, if he sees fit.

Trudeau previously said his government will fulfill any recommendations Johnston makes on the matter.

The former governor general is yet to speak publicly about his investigation into foreign interference in Canada’s 2019 and 2021 federal elections.

Trudeau has been criticised by opposition parties for appointing Johnston as special rapporteur given their personal friendship, and for Johnston’s connection to the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation, which was created in the name of former prime minister Pierre Trudeau.

Trudeau has said that he is “confident” Johnston’s review of foreign interference will be impartial.

“As Independent Special Rapporteur, David Johnston brings integrity and a wealth of experience and skills, and I am confident that he will conduct an impartial review to ensure all necessary steps are being taken to keep our democracy safe and uphold and strengthen confidence in it,” Trudeau said after announcing Johnston’s appointment on March 15.

Although Johnston’s mandate includes recommending a public inquiry into foreign interference if he believes it necessary, all opposition parties have pressured Trudeau to call one regardless.

The Conservatives, Bloc Québécois, and NDP all voted in favour of a non-binding motion in the Commons on March 23 urging the Liberal government to begin a public inquiry.

The motion passed by a vote of 172 to 149, with the Liberals voting against it.

Noé Chartier and Matthew Horwood contributed to this report.