Trudeau government grants extension to public inquiry into foreign interference

The Final Report on Allegations of Foreign Meddling in Canadian Elections Delayed

The eagerly awaited final report from the public inquiry investigating allegations of foreign meddling in Canadian elections is facing a delay. Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc announced on Friday that Commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue has requested more time to complete her investigation. As a result, the deadline for the final report has been extended to January 31, 2025, from the original deadline of December 31 of this year.

Opposition parties have been informed of the one-month extension, according to the minister’s office. Hogue’s initial report, released in May, described foreign interference as a “stain” on the country’s electoral system. However, she clarified that these meddling attempts did not impact the outcome of which political party formed the government.

“Our systems remain sound,” Hogue stated. “Voters were able to cast their ballots without interference, and there is no evidence to suggest that the election results were compromised in any way.”

The public inquiry was prompted by media reports last year that accused China of interfering in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections, based on information from unnamed security sources and classified documents. Some reports also alleged that members of the Liberal government were aware of these interference attempts but did not take action.

Since January, Hogue and her team of lawyers have been gathering testimonies on the extent of foreign interference in the previous two elections, involving countries such as China and Russia. They are also investigating whether relevant information was shared with the appropriate authorities in a timely manner.

The final report from the public inquiry is highly anticipated, as it could shed light on the extent of foreign meddling in Canadian elections and the government’s response to these threats.