Justice Marie-Josée Hogue is set to deliver her preliminary report into foreign election interference in Canada’s democratic institutions, with a focus on allegations of meddling primarily by China in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections. The inquiry, which began on Jan. 29, involved testimonies from approximately 70 witnesses, including members of diaspora communities, intelligence officials, senior bureaucrats, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The commission reviewed unclassified intelligence reports and summaries, as well as interviews with key players in the government and intelligence communities, revealing that China clandestinely and deceptively interfered in both general elections and is considered the most significant threat.
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) highlighted Beijing’s sophisticated and pervasive attempts to influence the democratic process, warning that its efforts are directed against all levels of government. CSIS assessed that state actors are able to conduct foreign interference successfully in Canada due to the low-risk and high-reward nature of such activities, with few legal or political consequences. Despite months of resistance from the Liberal government to hold a public inquiry, pressure from opposition parties and MPs, including Erin O’Toole, Michael Chong, and NDP MP Jenny Kwan, led to Prime Minister Trudeau appointing former governor general David Johnston as a special rapporteur to examine the issue. Johnston’s preliminary report recommended against a public inquiry, which sparked criticism and further demands for one from opposition parties.
In response to ongoing pressure, Prime Minister Trudeau eventually called for a public inquiry in September 2023 and appointed Justice Marie-Josée Hogue to lead the commission. Hogue and her team of lawyers and staff faced a tight timeline to interview witnesses, review government documents, and conclude weeks of public testimony, with her final report expected to be delivered by Dec. 31. The focus of Hogue’s findings will be on the integrity of the last two federal elections and the flow of information to senior decision makers and elected officials. The inquiry aims to shed light on the significant threat posed by foreign interference, particularly by China, and analyze the lack of legal or political consequences for such activities in Canada.
The inquiry’s findings are crucial in understanding the extent of foreign interference in Canadian elections and the impact it may have had on the democratic process. With China identified as the most significant threat due to its sophisticated and pervasive attempts at influencing government levels, the inquiry aims to provide insights into how best to safeguard Canada’s democratic institutions from future interference. The tight timeline faced by the commission underscores the urgency of the issue and the need for swift action to address and mitigate the risks posed by foreign interference. Justice Marie-Josée Hogue’s final report is anticipated to provide valuable recommendations on how to prevent, detect, and respond to foreign interference in Canadian elections in the future.
