The Liberals reportedly ignored warnings from national security officials about a candidate accused of participating in Chinese interference during the 2019 election.
• Read also: [À VOIR] ‘It’s a night for Ukrainians, not for you!’: Trudeau rages at protester
• Read also: A European far-right leader visiting Canada
Three weeks before the Canadian federal election, national security agents reportedly sent a memo to members of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office warning them that Han Dong, at the time a former MPP for Ontario, was part of the Chinese interference network, according to “Global News”.
Canadian intelligence began investigating Mr. Dong in June of that year, also claiming he was one of 11 Beijing-backed Toronto-area candidates in the run-up to the election.
Sources also said, on condition of anonymity, that China preferred Dong to rival Tan. “The Consulate was not satisfied with Geng Tan’s performance,” according to the intelligence service.
Other concerns raised by the service include that Chinese students with fake addresses were allegedly coerced into voting for Dong, now a member of parliament.
The memo also stated that Dong was in close contact with Michael Chan, also an intelligence target.
Chan is said to have participated in convincing Justin Trudeau’s office to support Dong rather than Tan.
The Prime Minister’s Office maintained on Thursday that the election was not compromised.