On Wednesday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau engaged a seasoned government officer to examine potential Chinese electoral influence.
Trudeau named David Johnston a special rapporteur. Canada’s governor general, 81-year-old Johnston, represented Queen Elizabeth from 2010 to 2017.
On March 6, Trudeau appointed an independent special investigator to investigate media accusations that China interfered in federal elections in 2021 and 2019. China denied them.
“Mr. Johnston will have a wide mandate to look into foreign involvement in the previous two federal general elections and offer expert suggestions on how to better defend our democracy,” Trudeau’s office stated.
The statement stated the government would follow Johnston’s suggestions, which might include a formal probe.
Under pressure from opposition parties to toughen relations with China, Trudeau has resisted calls for a public probe, which may take years in Canada.
Trudeau and top security officials have confirmed Chinese intervention, but they say election results were unaffected.
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