The only way to restore public confidence in the Canadian electoral system is to have an independent public inquiry look into reports of Chinese interference, says Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet.
Other opposition leaders have also called for a public inquiry.
In a letter on March 14, Blanchet urged Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to launch a public inquiry rather than appoint a special rapporteur to determine whether to investigate the alleged Chinese interference, as first reported by Blacklock’s Reporter.
“This is the only way to restore public confidence in our electoral system,” he wrote in French.
“We believe that is what the public is asking for as well,” he said, pointing to the Commons Procedure and House Affairs Committee that recently passed a motion seeking an inquiry.
“The question is not to determine whether or not a commission of inquiry should be created in the wake of revelations about Chinese interference in both last federal elections, but when it will be created and who will be the commissioner,” Blanchet said.
“The answer is unequivocal. It must be set up as quickly as possible, especially in a context of uncertainty over the next election, and the commissioner must be chosen by the House of Commons.”
“It is about confidence in our democracy,” Blanchet noted.
Recent media reports citing national security sources have shown how Beijing used its consulates, as well as individuals or organizations sympathetic to the communist regime, to interfere in Canada’s 2019 and 2021 elections. Its goals were to ensure the return of a Liberal minority and the defeat of Conservative candidates deemed unfriendly to Beijing, the Globe and Mail reported.
“But he kept it hidden until courageous whistleblowers at CSIS released it for him, and now he refuses a public inquiry. I think Canadians of all political backgrounds are asking, what has Justin Trudeau got to hide?”
The total percentage of people fully convinced of this are 64 percent among Liberal voters and 58 percent for NDP.
