Justin Trudeau is under mounting pressure to explain how seriously his government has responded to the threat of Chinese interference in Canadian elections in the wake of damning intelligence leaks.
Allegations that the prime minister’s government has failed to act on meddling efforts featured prominently in a raucous session of parliament on Wednesday, as concern over Beijing’s efforts to undermine Canadian elections continues to dominate the country’s politics.
Earlier this week, Global News reported that, according to an intelligence report, “a large clandestine transfer of funds” was directed from China’s Toronto consulate to the staff member of an Ontario lawmaker to aid a 2019 federal election candidate. Previous reports have suggested that the Chinese government sent money to at least 11 candidates.
Late last year, Trudeau’s national security and intelligence adviser, Jody Thomas, told lawmakers she saw no evidence that candidates in the 2019 federal election were influenced by money from the Chinese government.
“The news stories that you have read about interference are just that – news stories,” Thomas told lawmakers. “I’ll just say it – we’ve not seen money going to 11 candidates, period.”
On Wednesday, Trudeau reiterated his national security adviser’s position, telling lawmakers his government had “no information on any federal candidates receiving money from China”, adding that it was “still the case”.
But that assessment clashes with a flurry of leaked intelligence reports that suggest China attempted to meddle in the last two elections – and that high-level officials close to the prime minister were made aware of those efforts.
Trudeau’s refusal to comment on specific allegations, however, prompted frustration from the Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre.
“[The prime minister] is not interested in protecting the safety of the people serving this country. He’s interested in protecting the Liberal party of Canada,” Poilievre said during a heated exchange on the floor of the House of Commons.
Trudeau countered that it was “despicable” for Poilievre to question the loyalty of another member of parliament.
“To suggest that anyone in this house isn’t devoted to serving Canadians, and keeping those who serve Canada in dangerous positions safe, is quite disgusting,” he said, adding Poilievre’s comments were “heinous and disgusting accusations of disloyalty to Canada”.
On Wednesday, a member of the Liberal party nonetheless warned that China was an “existential threat” to Canada.
“We need as a nation to come to grips with the desire of the government of China to turn us all into vassal states,” John McKay told reporters.
China has contested the accusations, denying it has ever interfered in Canada’s elections.
“We have no interest in and will not interfere in Canada’s internal affairs,” China’s foreign affairs spokesperson, Mao Ning, told reporters. “It’s absurd that some in Canada are making an issue about China based on disinformation and lies.”
Trudeau has repeatedly resisted calls for a public inquiry, instead announcing he will appoint an “eminent” Canadian as a special rapporteur into the issue of election interference.
But his refusal has also seen him lose support from key allies in parliament.
“The prime minister is signalling that he’s not taking this seriously, and … is being dismissive. And in his actions also is more and more seeming like there’s something to hide, all of which is not helping,” the New Democratic party leader, Jagmeet Singh, whose party is currently supporting the incumbent Liberals in a power-sharing deal, said on Wednesday.
“It’s not helping Canadians have confidence in our democracy, in our electoral system, and it’s why it really cries out for a public inquiry. Let’s get those questions put to rest … Let’s figure out what happened, and what we can do to protect democracy in the future.”