Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-François Blanchet says the Liberal government’s refusal to hold a public inquiry into foreign election interference will “destroy democracy.”
“Canada is dragging Quebec into a crisis that is going to destroy democracy by covering [foreign interference] in secrecy,” he said in the House of Commons during question period on May 31.
“How can [Prime Minister Justin Trudeau] explain to Quebecers and Canada that he is going to disdain the vote of an elected majority in this House? Everyone is an elected official of Parliament just as he is.”
“We know so much about the reasons for which we should be asking for a real public inquiry, not for this ‘buddy buddy act’ with his friend. When will this prime minister put an end to this these policies that are harmful for Quebec and very, very, helpful to China?” Blanchet asked.
Trudeau responded by criticizing Blanchet for refusing to accept a briefing on foreign election interference by Canada’s security agencies. Blanchet has called the briefing on confidential information that informed Johnston’s findings a “dumb trap,” as he would be restricted from informing Canadians about what he learned.
1995 Quebec Referendum
During question period, Blanchet also brought up the Quebec legislature’s unanimous adoption of a motion calling on the province’s chief electoral officer to release all documents related to an investigation into illegal spending ahead of the 1995 Quebec referendum.Blanchet linked Ottawa’s “secrecy” around the 1995 referendum to its refusal to call for a public inquiry into Chinese interference in Canada’s federal elections.
“This prime minister is either weak or useful to a foreign power. Who is this prime minister working for—his country or the financial interests of the friends of the liberal regime?” he asked.
Trudeau accused the Bloc Quebecois of “trying to go back to old arguments,” and accused the party of not caring about foreign interference and instead wanting to use the issue to “pick a fight” with Ottawa.
“We, on the other hand, take these issues seriously. We will continue to work with all of the necessary seriousness on these issues that are important to Canadians,” Trudeau said.