Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he spoke with Conservative MP Michael Chong shortly after a news story broke citing top-secret intelligence documents alleging Chong’s family members living in Hong Kong were targeted by the Chinese regime in 2021.
Trudeau said in the House of Commons during question period on May 2 that he “followed up directly” with Chong after the Globe and Mail first published the report on May 1.
Trudeau said he spoke with Chong to “reassure him” that Canada’s national security agencies previously took measures to protect MPs who were on the radar of foreign threat actors.
The prime minister said he received an intelligence briefing on the matter following the Globe’s report but denied previously knowing about the threats to Chong’s family back in 2021.
“Security agencies will continue to do this important work in an independent manner,” he said.
Speaking to reporters prior to question period, Trudeau also said in French that he would not have prevented Canada’s security agencies from warning Chong about the threats.
CSIS reportedly said the CCP’s Ministry of State Security (MSS) took “specific actions to target Canadian MPs” who were behind a 2021 House of Commons motion calling Beijing’s treatment of the Uyghur minority a genocide.
The assessment, which The Epoch Times has not independently reviewed, also reportedly said the MSS sought information on one of the MP’s relatives who may be located in China to enact “further potential sanctions.”
Chong said in a statement after the report was published that the federal government had never informed him of the alleged threats to his family.
Trudeau said during question period on May 2 that he ensured Chong received a briefing concerning the matter on the same day from Canada’s top security officials.
Trudeau said the officials gave Chong “all the information he needs” on the matter.
Chong rose in the House several minutes later to say that, in September 2019, then-Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale issued a directive ordering CSIS to inform the public safety minister going forward “of any matter or action of interest.”
Chong questioned when now-Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino was made aware of the CCP’s threats to Chong’s family in Hong Kong.
Mendicino did not directly answer the question, but said the reported threats are “not a partisan issue,” adding that the Liberal government has been “vigilant in fighting against foreign interference” since it took power in 2015.
“We have put in place the people, the resources, the tools, and the oversight ... to defend our institutions,” he said.
