Inquiry investigating election interference will hear evidence March 27-April 10

The inquiry into foreign election interference will dive deeper into whether China, Russia and others meddled in Canada’s past two federal elections later this month.

The inquiry announced Monday the next phase of its study will run from March 27 to April 10.

“These hearings will address issues at the core of our mandate,” said Commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue.

“The commission will hear evidence on the question of interference by foreign states or non-state actors in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections, including any potential impact on those elections.” 

A list of witnesses is expected to be released later.

The inquiry — officially the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions — was triggered by media reports last year that, citing unnamed security sources and classified documents, accused China of interfering in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections.

In January, Hogue and her team of lawyers heard testimony arguments about what information can be made public. 

Since then, Hogue said the government told her it will be necessary to hear some evidence behind closed doors.

In a February statement, she wrote that it will have the burden of convincing her that disclosure of such evidence to inquiry participants or the public could endanger national security.

If Hogue and her counsel are not persuaded by government arguments, she said she will require that the evidence be presented in public hearings.

Hogue has to finish an interim report on her findings by May 3.