(Ottawa) The Liberal government is leaving the door open to a public inquiry into foreign interference, but it wants federal opposition parties to work together to establish its mandate.
Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc said Saturday that opposition parties should be able to collaborate on the issue, as they have demonstrated their ability to do so in recent months.
This includes meeting to pass a non-binding motion in the House of Commons calling on David Johnston to resign from his role as special rapporteur investigating foreign interference.
Mr Johnston agreed on Friday to step down by the end of the month, citing the highly partisan atmosphere around his job.
Mr. LeBlanc is responsible for consulting with experts and opposition parties on next steps, whether to continue the work started by Mr. Johnston or to hold a public inquiry as members of the government have long demanded. ‘opposition.
He wants them to come up with a list of people who might be investigating.