‘Urgent’ to fix gaps in foreign interference defences before next election: Mendicino
Michael Cooper, the Conservatives’ lead MP on the committee, suggested the Liberals were “soft on Beijing.”
Mendicino responded that the RCMP have taken “decisive action to shut down” the stations, and said the Liberals have been “concrete and proactive” in combating foreign interference – including granting new powers for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service .CSIS director David Vigneault, one of Canada’s top national security officials, was also present at the committee’s hearing – but did not receive a single question from either government or opposition MPs.
The committee’s probe was launched after Global News reported the Liberals were warned of a sophisticated foreign interference network ahead of the 2019 campaign. Citing unnamed national security sources, Global News reported that the network included both Liberals and Conservatives, and attempted to tip the scales in favour of at least 11 candidates in the 2019 election.The network was allegedly being run out of the Chinese consulate in Toronto, Global’s sources said.
The Globe and Mail also reported that CSIS was aware of a similar attempt by China’s government to sway the 2021 campaign, which saw the Liberals returned to power with a minority government despite losing the popular vote. The Globe’s reporting suggested that the Liberals’ return to power was the favoured outcome for Beijing. But there is no evidence to suggest that the integrity of either election was compromised, or the overall results shaped by foreign intervention.
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