(Ottawa) The ink of the press release announcing the appointment of David Johnston as independent special rapporteur on foreign interference was barely dry when already, doubts about the impartiality of the former governor general of Canada began to rain, especially in conservative circles.
While the contours of its mandate have not yet been clearly defined, we know that it will consist, among other things, of determining whether a public and independent inquiry into foreign interference in the 2019 and 2021 elections is necessary or No.
In revealing the identity of the person on whom he set his sights on Wednesday, the Prime Minister was full of praise for him: “impeccable integrity, rich experience and great skills”, he said. he boasted through a press release.
“I am confident that he will conduct an impartial review to ensure that all necessary measures are taken to preserve our democracy and to maintain and strengthen confidence in it,” also said Justin Trudeau.
After the flowers, the pots, on social networks: images of David Johnston with Chinese President Xi Jinping during official visits to China as Governor General of Canada in 2013 and 2017 quickly resurfaced.
PHOTO FROM THE CHINESE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS WEBSITE
Chinese President Xi Jinping with David Johnston during the latter’s visit to China in 2013
The fact that the former Queen’s representative in Canada is a member of the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation has also not gone unnoticed, especially since the Foundation found itself in the hot seat just over two weeks.
The charity repaid a Chinese billionaire’s $200,000 donation after the Globe and Mail published that it had been made against a promise of reimbursement from Beijing. The story undermined the credibility of a report on the interference prepared by Morris Rosenberg, who was the Foundation’s chief executive at the time of the donation.
As rapporteur, it is not impossible to imagine that David Johnston will have to look into this matter.
The government promises to follow the recommendations
This is the second time that the Liberals have retained the services of the man who was a tenant of Rideau Hall from 2010 to 2017: he is currently commissioner of leaders’ debates, but he will leave this position to take up the position of special rapporteur and independent.
Its mandate will be to examine “the consequences of foreign interference in the last two federal general elections” and to “make expert recommendations on how to better protect our democracy”, explains the government press release published on Wednesday.
And at the end of this exercise, the government will respect the recommendations of the former governor general, which could include “a formal investigation, judicial review or other independent review process, and will implement them”, indicates- your.
David Johnston’s appointment stems from consultations with all parties in the House of Commons, according to the government statement. The Bloc Québécois and the New Democratic Party (NDP), however, had signaled on Tuesday that they refused to take part in the process.
Long standoff in committee
If the question of the appointment of the rapporteur is now settled – although the debate on the person chosen is obviously only beginning -, it is far from being the case of that surrounding the request for the appearance of Katie Telford, the head of cabinet of Justin Trudeau.
The Liberals who sit on the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, which is looking into allegations of Chinese interference in the democratic process, continue to disrupt its work.
They have now been using delay tactics for more than 20 hours (non-consecutive) to prevent the appearance of Katie Telford, Justin Trudeau’s chief of staff, at the committee table. Liberal maneuvers fuel suspicions of a cover-up.
To make their case, they unearthed a video from 2010 where Pierre Poilievre says that political staff should not be summoned to committee because of the principle of ministerial responsibility. He then defended the refusal to send to appear Dimitri Soudas, ex-director of communications of Stephen Harper.
For clarification, Katie Telford appeared at least twice in committee, to answer questions on the WE Charity case and on sexual misconduct within the Canadian Armed Forces. Ditto for Gerald Butts, former secretary to the Prime Minister, who lent himself to the exercise at the time of the SNC-Lavalin affair.