Former Conservative leadership candidate Patrick Brown to testify on Indian interference allegations

Former Conservative leadership candidate Patrick Brown is set to testify before a parliamentary committee today regarding allegations of India’s interference in Canadian politics. This follows a recent report by Radio-Canada, citing confidential sources, claiming that Indian government agents tried to sabotage Brown’s 2022 Conservative Party leadership bid.

According to sources, Brown’s national campaign co-chair, Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner, was allegedly pressured by Indian consulate representatives to withdraw her support for Brown during the leadership race. However, Rempel Garner has vehemently denied these claims, stating that she left Brown’s campaign of her own accord and was never coerced.

Additionally, volunteers in Brown’s campaign were reportedly pressured not to assist, and invitations to community events were rescinded. Despite these alleged actions, there is no evidence that current Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre was aware of India’s involvement. Poilievre won the 2022 leadership race decisively, with 68% of the available points.

In a statement issued prior to his testimony, Brown, now the mayor of Brampton, Ontario, emphasized the importance of investigating foreign interference in Canadian democracy. He expressed confidence that the outcome of the Conservative leadership race was not influenced by external meddling.

The RCMP has accused Indian government agents of supporting violent crimes in Canada, including homicides, and posing a serious threat to public safety. Commissioner Mike Duheme highlighted ongoing investigations into India’s alleged interference in Canadian democratic processes.

Despite initially declining the committee’s invitation, Brown was later summoned to testify via videoconference. He stated that he has no new evidence to contribute and expressed concerns about the political nature of his appearance before the committee.

The public safety committee’s inquiry into India’s alleged interference in Canadian affairs has gained significant attention, with the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians also citing these concerns in a recent report. The issue of foreign interference remains a critical concern for Canadian officials, as they work to safeguard the integrity of the country’s democratic processes.