An official named to investigate allegations that China attempted to subvert Canadian elections has announced he will not launch a public inquiry, prompting frustration from critics who say the decision only furthers Beijing’s interests.
Special rapporteur David Johnston on Tuesday released a 55-page report on foreign interference in Canadian institutions, warning that subversive efforts represented an “increasing threat” to democracy.
“Foreign governments are undoubtedly attempting to influence candidates and voters in Canada,” Johnston wrote. “Much has been done already, but considerably more remains to be done to strengthen our capacity to resist foreign interference.”
But Johnston said he did believe a public inquiry would be helpful because much of the relevant material needed to conduct the inquiry would remain secret. He said calling a public inquiry would be an “easy choice, it would not be the correct one”.
Instead, he called for public hearings to examine foreign interference and to help the public better understand the threats it poses to institutions.
Johnston, a former governor general, was appointed by Justin Trudeau in March to investigate reports that the Chinese government attempted to meddle in two federal elections. In his report, Johnston said he saw no evidence Trudeau ignored previous intelligence briefings on Chinese influence operations, including threats against the Conservative lawmaker Michael Chong.
“I have not found examples of ministers, the prime minister or their offices knowingly ignoring intelligence, advice or recommendations on foreign interference or being driven by partisan considerations in dealing with these issues,” he wrote.
Trudeau said he would adhere to Johnston’s recommendations and refrain from calling a public inquiry, amid mounting political pressure from opposition leaders.
The Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre, criticized Johnston’s conclusions, calling him the prime minister’s “ski buddy” and “family friend” and suggesting conflicts of interest prevented the official from genuinely investigating Chinese efforts to tamper with Canadian elections.
“It is a fake job that [Johnston] is incapable of doing impartially,” said Poilievre, adding Johnston was “shamefully helping the prime minister cover up Beijing’s attacks on our democracy” and should have recused himself. Johnston was previously a member of the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation charity, which received controversial donations linked to the Chinese government.
All opposition parties have called for a public inquiry into foreign election interference. The Liberals said they would only call one if Johnston made the recommendation.
The New Democratic party leader, Jagmeet Singh, said he respected Johnston but was “disappointed” by the decision not to pursue a public inquiry.
“We firmly believe Canadians would benefit from a fulsome, public investigation that maintains the integrity of our intelligence that must be kept confidential,” he said in a statement.
Johnston, who was given a rare glimpse into both relevant documents and the inner-workings of the country’s intelligence agencies, said a “poor information flow” and processing between agencies, the public service and ministers hampered the ability to communicate effectively.
In his report Johnston also critiqued internal leaks within the intelligence community, saying they were “destructive and dangerous” and that the leakers needed to be caught.
“I recognize that absent the leaks, I would not have been appointed to undertake the work. However, that does not justify the leaks, which risk great harm to the Canadian interest.”
Johnston also criticized a media report that alleged former Liberal lawmaker Han Dong advised China to delay releasing Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor.
“The allegation is false,” wrote Johnston, adding there was no evidence China gave $250,000 to 11 political candidates, also alleged by Global News. The news outlet is currently facing a lawsuit from Dong over the allegations.
For communities affected by China’s influence and coercion in Canada, the decision came as a disappointment.
Mehmet Toti, head of the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project, wrote in a tweet that Johnston’s rejection of public inquiry was “stunning and absolutely, shockingly disappointing” and only helped China.
“This is not a good day for Canadian democracy,” he wrote.
Johnston’s decision to not call a public inquiry surprised some analysts, especially since Johnston himself said he believed a public inquiry would be necessary when he was appointed by Trudeau.
“But my conclusion is that, in light of the material and information that would lie at the heart of any inquiry, it could not be done in public,” Johnston wrote. “Now that I have reviewed [the files] I understand why it is treated so sensitively: foreign adversaries would readily discern sources and methods from this information. It could endanger people.”
Johnston’s next report is due in October.
