Cory Morgan: A Public Inquiry on CCP Interference Is Needed to Restore Canadians’ Trust in Electoral System

Commentary

We can’t ignore problems, no matter how much we want it to be. Your car’s odd sound is probably a sign of something bigger. The basement leak won’t stop it from leaking. Politically, the same applies. Canada is facing serious problems with its electoral integrity. Prime Minister Trudeau has no hope of making it disappear. The problem will only get worse.

The Liberal Party of Canada is a well-respected political player. They are not afraid to take on new issues. They seem to have been uncharacteristically caught flatfooted in this instance and have lost the narrative about the budding electoral interference controversy with the Chinese Communist Party. The Liberals could bring down the government if they don’t act quickly to control the issue.

A public inquiry into CCP efforts to influence Canadian politics seems inevitable. Opposition parties have already gathered and indicated that they are ready to press the issue. They can’t stop the Liberals from being in minority government. They could make it a confidence question in the House of Commons but that would be political suicide. To force Canadians to vote on an issue they are concerned about, it would be impossible to hold a public inquiry.

Senior bureaucrats are reporting to a Liberal-dominated committee of the House of Commons that CCP interference had not affected the outcome of the election in 2019 or 2021. As evidence, they have relied on a Morris Rosenberg report. Rosenberg headed Pierre Elliot Trudeau Foundation when it received large donations of individuals connected to the CCP. Can people be expected to take such seriousness?

They aren’t, according to polls.

A survey was recently conducted by Nanos Research for CTV Over 90% of Canadians felt concerned or somewhat concerned by Chinese interference in Canadian society. It’s rare for Canadians to be so concerned about an issue. Our democratic process’ integrity is at risk.

Although the CCP did not influence the outcome of the election, it seems likely that some MPs were compromised. CSIS documents leaking to the media indicate that Han Dong, Liberal MP was complicit with receiving assistance from CCP in order to win his party nomination. According to the documents, up to 10 other MPs could have been compromised in the Toronto region alone.

A member of Parliament is more than just representing their party in House of Commons. They are expected serve as a link between citizens and federal government when they are in need. This important role is ostensibly nonpartisan.

The best way to help someone with their immigration problems or renewing their passport is to go to the local MP’s office. Imagine being a Canadian newcomer from Taiwan, China, or Taiwan and needing assistance from their local MP to avoid CCP authoritarianism. But the MP turns out to be a shill for the Communist Party of China. Talk about a breaching of trust.

CCP interference has not affected the majority of Canadian MPs. These doubts are already being sown and will only be dispelled by a thorough, vigorous public inquiry. This issue is too important to leave unresolved. It invites the public to distrust Canadian institutions further. We know that the CCP has attempted to interfere in Canada. This is not news. It is what the regime does. It’s not possible to know the full extent of the interference, but faith in Canada’s system will continue to erode.

The Trudeau Liberals may still have control over this matter. If they conduct an impartial public inquiry, they could position themselves as crusaders to the electoral integrity in Canada. Yes, they did lead to the resignation of some of their elected officials. However, the Liberals can claim to have been victims in that case and point out the inquiry as evidence of their sincerity trying to cleanse their ranks from CCP interference. Although it may not be a sellable product, it is better than having them drag kicking and screaming into an inquiry.

The Canadian Parliament will resume sitting next week. This is a moment of truth for the prime minister. Will he step up and lead the unravelling scandal? Or will he pretend that the matter is resolved while the opposition parties take charge?

Trudeau may choose to go with the latter option, which could result in his resignation as prime minister.

The views expressed in this article reflect the opinions of the author, and not necessarily the views of The Epoch Times.