As the NDP seeks to broaden the scope of a public inquiry into foreign interference, Canada’s former ambassador to Beijing warns that doing so would play into the hands of Chinese secret operatives, who aim to “blur the focus” of the investigation.
“Precisely the goal of PRC influence ops: divert attention from the main stage. Blur the focus. Slow things down,” David Mulroney said in
a Twitter post on Aug. 4.
The former ambassador to Beijing cited a recent media report about how the NDP’s attempt to expand the scope of the foreign interference probe beyond China to include countries like Russia, Iran, and India encountered resistance from the other opposition parties.
Mr. Mulroney also cited FBI Director Christopher Wray, who reiterated his
earlier warnings that “there’s no country that presents a more significant threat to our innovation, our ideas our economic security, our national security than the Chinese government.” Mr. Wray repeated the warning on Aug. 3, after newly-released federal indictments show that two U.S. Navy sailors in Southern California were arrested and charged for spying and providing military secrets to China.
In Canada, there have also been
mounting demands for a public inquiry into foreign interference, after a series of media reports of Beijing’s foreign interference, including establishing secret police stations on Canadian soil, meddling in two federal elections, and launching surveillance balloons over the North American continent and spy buoys in Arctic waters.
In May, Canada
expelled Zhao Wei, a Chinese diplomat at the Toronto consulate, following his alleged involvement in threatening the Hong Kong-based family members of Conservative MP Michael Chong. Mr. Chong was targeted for being an outspoken critic of Beijing’s persecution of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang Province, according to
a Globe and Mail report that cited national security sources.
Calls for a public inquiry
reached new heights after the recent arrest of former RCMP officer William Majcher, who
reportedly used his network of contacts in Canada to “obtain intelligence or services to benefit the People’s Republic of China,” according to a
statement from the Mounties on July 21.
Despite these reports, the Chinese embassy in Canada has denied allegations of interfering in Canadian politics.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said his party has been seeking to expand the probe to include other major countries allegedly involved in foreign interference.
“We have been pushing to say that a public inquiry should include all countries that are in a significant way trying to interfere in our democracy,” he said in Halifax on Aug. 3.
In May, former governor general David Johnston, who was appointed as special rapporteur on foreign interference,
advised against a formal inquiry into foreign interference, citing concerns about leaking classified information. Mr. Johnston’s decision drew criticism from the
opposition, critics, and
advocacy groups.
In late May, Conservative and Bloc Quebecois MPs voted in favour of an NDP motion calling for an inquiry that would also examine potential interference attempts by Russia, Iran, and India.
Since the House of Commons has adjourned for the summer, the government has stated that an announcement will be coming “soon,” without committing to a specific timeline. The newly appointed federal public safety minister, Dominic LeBlanc, has
denied any suggestions of a “hold up” in launching the foreign interference investigation.
Marnie Cathcart, Peter Wilson, and The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
