Poilievre Says Johnston’s Decision Not to Hold Inquiry on Foreign Interference a ‘Cover Up’

Poilievre Says Johnston’s Decision Not to Hold Inquiry on Foreign Interference a ‘Cover Up’
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre rises during Question Period in Ottawa on Feb. 7, 2023. Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press
Matthew Horwood
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Following the decision by Special Rapporteur David Johnston not to hold a public inquiry into allegations of foreign election interference, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre accused Johnston of helping Prime Minister Justin Trudeau “cover up the influence by Beijing in our democracy.”

“We see today that his ski buddy, cottage neighbour, family friend, and member of the Beijing-financed Trudeau Foundation came out and did exactly what I predicted: helped Trudeau cover up the influence by Beijing in our democracy,” Poilievre said during a press conference on May 23.

According to Globe and Mail and Global News reports that cited unnamed national security sources, the Chinese Communist Party sought to influence Canada’s 2019 and 2021 elections. It also attempted to intimidate members of Parliament, including Conservative MP Michael Chong, as well as fund political candidates and operate foreign police stations as a way to silence dissidents.

In response to the explosive allegations of Chinese interference in Canadian affairs and calls to hold a public inquiry, Trudeau appointed Johnston to be a special rapporteur on foreign interference in March.

After spending two months reviewing classified documents and interviewing policymakers, Johnston concluded that holding public inquiry—which all opposition parties have called for—was not appropriate.

Johnston said that sensitivities around intelligence related to foreign interference would make it difficult to hold an open inquiry, and said there was no ethical issue with the way the federal government handled the issue.

“A further review of the specific media allegations through a public inquiry would not advance our ability to amend these arrangements and strengthen our institutional capacity to detect, deter and counter foreign interference,” he said.

‘Whitewash Attempt’

Poilievre criticized Johnston’s appointment as special rapporteur, as the former governor-general was previously a member of the Trudeau Foundation. Poilievre also cited reports that suggested the Chinese regime gave $140,000 to the foundation with the “express purpose of buying the love and the loyalty of Justin Trudeau.”

“We know that Trudeau has been briefed on these matters for years, and has done absolutely nothing about it, except try to keep it quiet, and name-call anyone who spoke out about it,” Poilievre said, adding that Johnston’s announcement was a “whitewash attempt” by the prime minister.

Poilievre also said it was “incredible” that Johnston did not mention the Trudeau Foundation in his report, released on May 23.

“Now, Johnson is part of the Trudeau foundation, so, of course, he wouldn’t want to investigate himself. But, frankly, that’s why he should have recused himself,” he said.

Poilievre reiterated his calls for a full public inquiry into foreign interference and said the federal Conservatives would continue pushing for a foreign influence registry to expose “anyone who does paid work on behalf of a foreign dictatorship to manipulate our politics.”

Trudeau has previously defended Johnston as the right candidate for the job and pushed back on Poilievre’s criticism.

“They are engaging in horrific partisan attacks against a man of extraordinary integrity,” he said on March 16.

Johnston also addressed the claims there could be a conflict of interest with his appointment during a press conference presenting his first report. Johnston said his friendship with Trudeau was based “only on a few skiing expeditions with my children” and Trudeau at a time when Pierre Elliott Trudeau was still alive.

Johnston said that since Trudeau became a Liberal MP, he has had no meetings, letters, or telephone calls with him. He also downplayed his association with the Trudeau Foundation, to which he resigned his membership after being appointed rapporteur. He pointed to his becoming a member in 2018 after the charity received the donation from Beijing-tied businessmen.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.