Election interference inquiry to hear from members of diaspora communities

The Canadian Press

· Posted: Mar 27, 2024 8:40 AM EDT | Last Updated: 1 hour ago

Members of diaspora communities are slated to testify today as a federal inquiry begins two weeks of hearings into foreign meddling allegations and how the Canadian government responded to them.

The hearings will focus on possible interference by China, India, Russia and others in the last two federal elections.

The commission of inquiry, led by Quebec judge Marie-Josée Hogue, expects to hear evidence from more than 40 people, including community members, political party representatives and federal election officials.

At the opening of Wednesday's session, Hogue said that six days of in-camera hearings were recently held after Attorney General Afif Virani asked for the hearings to exclude the media and the public because the evidence given would be detrimental to national security. 

Hogue said the commission is preparing summaries of the testimony heard and will release them during the course of the current hearing schedule. 

Hogue said that when the in-camera hearings revealed information that would help the public without jeopardizing national security, she asked council for the commission to ensure it is reintroduced publicly. 

"The commission has access to a large number of classified documents in their entirety, meaning without the redactions needed to protect national security," she said. 

"Confidential imperatives have not prevented us from doing the work we have been tasked to do, but they do pose real difficulties as I endeavour to keep the process transparent and open — the commission must walk a very fine line in its work," she added. 

Hogue said the commission is making every effort to ensure the public has access to as much information as possible. 

Prime minister to testify

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, members of his cabinet and various senior government officials are also slated to appear at the hearings, which run from today through April 10.

An initial report of findings from the commission is due May 3.

The inquiry will then shift to broader policy issues, looking at the ability of the government to detect, deter and counter foreign interference, with a final report by the end of the year.