(Ottawa) The Bloc Québécois is calling for a public and independent commission of inquiry into foreign interference whose commissioner would be chosen by the House.
In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister on Sunday, and of which The Canadian Press obtained a copy, the Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet also welcomed the possibility that consultations could take place with the opposition parties.
Mr. Blanchet adds that it is “essential that the mandate of such a commission be broad and open so as not to neglect issues”. He cites in particular “the so-called “Chinese police stations” […] alleged irregularities in the governance of the Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau Foundation”.
It was also Sunday that the Conservative Party said it was ready to work with the other opposition parties in Ottawa to establish the terms of reference for a possible public inquiry into foreign interference.
At a press briefing in Ottawa, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre indicated that he would contact his counterparts from the New Democratic Party (NDP) and the Bloc Québécois this week to begin work on this file.
“I will work with my colleagues in the opposition to ensure that the person who will be chosen for the continuation of things is independent and impartial,” launched Mr. Poilievre.
Liberal helping hand
The Conservative leader made these remarks the day after an outing by the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Dominic LeBlanc, who reached out to the opposition parties in order to plan the next steps in the file of the interference of China and other countries in Canada.
“I look forward to their suggestions, for example, who they think might lead this investigation, what its mandate will be and how they will deal with the issue of necessarily secret information that cannot be disclosed in a public inquiry.” , said Minister LeBlanc on Saturday.
For his part, Mr. Poilievre is ready to participate in the discussions. He has even already started working on a list of potential candidates to lead a public inquiry, should the government decide to launch one.
His criteria: someone who has no connection with the Trudeau family or the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation, and who has a solid reputation for impartiality and neutrality.
During his press briefing, Mr. Poilievre called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to launch the public inquiry now.
“He has to call him right away,” hammered the Conservative leader. He must find someone to lead it and determine his mandate quickly so that the hearings take place as soon as possible and that the whole truth is known before the next election. »
Expert consultation
But first and foremost, Minister LeBlanc will consult experts and the opposition parties to decide on the direction work will take on this file, which has caused much ink to flow in Ottawa in recent weeks.
In his preliminary report, the special rapporteur on interference David Johnston had ruled out the idea of holding a public inquiry into the question of foreign interference, due to the confidential nature of the issues involved, to the chagrin of the heads of the opposition.
However, Mr Johnston announced on Friday that he will step down by the end of the month, citing the “highly partisan” climate around his appointment and his work which has prevented him, in his opinion, from giving back. trust Canadians have in their democratic institutions.
Now that the special rapporteur will be stepping down, “all options are possible” from now on, according to the government, whether it be the launching of a public inquiry or the appointment of a person who will take up the torch directly where Mr. Johnston will leave it when he leaves.
“If, ultimately, a public inquiry done the right way and led by the ideal person is possible, we will be completely open to suggestions,” said Mr. LeBlanc on Saturday.
With Mickey Djuric, The Canadian Press