The Conservatives’ calls for the release of the names of parliamentarians implicated in foreign interference has intensified.
Conservative House leader Andrew Scheer has asked Justice Marie-Josée Hogue, the commissioner of the inquiry into foreign interference, to look into the same findings reached by NSICOP, the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians.
“We request that the Hogue Commission be asked to issue a finding of fact for each case in the Special Report where a member of the House of Commons or the Senate of Canada, past or present, is alleged to have knowingly participated in ‘foreign interference’…and that any such individuals found to have done so be named in a report to Parliament,” Scheer wrote.
The NSICOP report stated that the federal government has undermined the integrity of Canada’s parliamentary and democratic processes, along with resulting public trust. The report also noted that some Canadian elected officials are knowingly assisting foreign state actors in political interference, primarily on behalf of China and India.
“It is not likely that they would make these findings unless there were significant and credible evidence. However, the names of the individuals involved have been redacted at the direction of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau,” wrote Scheer.
Scheer said that the findings need to be weighed and assessed by an independent body immediately. The Hogue Commission is currently investigating similar facts, said Scheer. Hogue released the initial report into foreign interference last month.
“These findings of fact would not constitute findings of criminal guilt but would be intended to serve as an aid to the House and the Senate in the exercise of their respective privileges, immunities, and powers; to each political party whose members may be implicated; and above all to the Canadian public to strengthen its confidence in our political institutions,” said Scheer.
To accomplish the investigation, Scheer requested that the Hogue Commission be provided with all the unredacted evidence, and that the findings be tabled in Parliament and published online by Oct. 1, 2024.
“This is what Canadians deserve. Anything less risks fuelling public suspicion about a cover up of information known to this government about members of parliament working for foreign states against the interests of Canada,” concluded Scheer.
The Liberals have refused to release the list of names that were redacted from the report.
The Bloc Québecois took a similar approach, tabling an opposition motion calling on the Hogue Commission’s terms of reference to be expanded to allow for the investigation of electoral interference among elected officials.
The opposition motion, sponsored by Bloc MP René Villemure, will be debated on Monday afternoon and voted on Tuesday.
“This is a public-interest subject; it’s something really serious,” said Villemure. “This should not be a partisan issue; foreign interference has no colour, and we’re putting this motion forward hoping for unanimous consent.”
The federal NDP has suggested that their party would support the motion.
“Canadians deserve to know who these MPs are who are working to undermine our democracy,” said NDP deputy leader Alexandre Boulerice. “We must restore confidence in our democratic process, institutions, and those who represent them.”
The motion can pass if all opposition parties support it, however, it is non-binding.
