The RCMP testified before the House Affairs committee that they received information about alleged election fraud by Chinese agents from politicians and news reporters, according to Blacklock’s Reporter..“I wouldn’t be proud of that,” said Conservative MP Luc Berthold (Mégantic-L’Erable, QC)..Mark Flynn, the RCMP deputy commissioner, testified at the House Affairs committee that the RCMP are currently investigating allegations of foreign interference targeting three MPs: Conservative MPs Michael Chong (Wellington-Halton Hills, ON) and Erin O’Toole (Durham, ON) and New Democrat MP Jenny Kwan (Vancouver East, BC). All three MPs first made the allegations public..“The RCMP is aware of the public visibility into different accusations of interference in democratic processes, including Mr. Chong as well as other Members of Parliament that you’ve heard about who have spoken either in Parliament or in various committees about meddling in elections, misinformation or interference in voter influencing that’s going on,” said Flynn..“Were you aware generally that Beijing diplomats were targeting MPs?” asked Conservative MP Michael Cooper (St. Albert-Edmonton, AB)..“We were not aware of specific targeting,” replied Flynn..RCMP Commissioner Michael Duheme said the police relied on parliamentary hearings and news reports for leads..“When did the RCMP open its investigation concerning Beijing’s intimidation campaign against MP Chong?” asked Cooper. .“We found out about it through the committee here and through the media,” replied Duheme..READ MORE RCMP investigating China intimidating MP Chong and family.NDP MP Rachel Blaney (North Island-Powell River, BC) expressed concern over the alarming testimony she heard..“It is alarming to me that we have multiple MPs who were targeted and they just didn’t know,” said Blaney. .“That’s concerning.”.The Elections Commissioner Caroline Simard has asked the RCMP to investigate 23 alleged incidents of election interference during the last two federal elections. Simard told the House Affairs committee on March 2 at a hearing..“We have conducted a rigorous and thorough review of every complaint and every piece of information brought to our intention concerning allegations of foreign interference in both the 2019 and 2021 general elections,” said Commissioner Simard. .“This review is ongoing as I speak to determine whether there is any tangible evidence of wrongdoing under the Canada Elections Act.”.READ MORE More than 100 RCMP investigations launched into foreign political interference.On March 2, Chief Electoral Officer Stephane Perrault said he knew about numerous alleged Chinese election interference incidents..“I don’t have any factual information about foreign interference,” said Perrault..“What prevents you from taking pre-emptive action?” asked Bloc Québécois MP Christine Normandin (Saint-Jean, QC). .“Well, one of the constraints is we live in a free and open society,” replied Perrault. .“When we live in an open society, there are risks that foreign governments take advantage of that. We don’t want measures that involve actual surveillance of Canadians.”
The RCMP testified before the House Affairs committee that they received information about alleged election fraud by Chinese agents from politicians and news reporters, according to Blacklock’s Reporter..“I wouldn’t be proud of that,” said Conservative MP Luc Berthold (Mégantic-L’Erable, QC)..Mark Flynn, the RCMP deputy commissioner, testified at the House Affairs committee that the RCMP are currently investigating allegations of foreign interference targeting three MPs: Conservative MPs Michael Chong (Wellington-Halton Hills, ON) and Erin O’Toole (Durham, ON) and New Democrat MP Jenny Kwan (Vancouver East, BC). All three MPs first made the allegations public..“The RCMP is aware of the public visibility into different accusations of interference in democratic processes, including Mr. Chong as well as other Members of Parliament that you’ve heard about who have spoken either in Parliament or in various committees about meddling in elections, misinformation or interference in voter influencing that’s going on,” said Flynn..“Were you aware generally that Beijing diplomats were targeting MPs?” asked Conservative MP Michael Cooper (St. Albert-Edmonton, AB)..“We were not aware of specific targeting,” replied Flynn..RCMP Commissioner Michael Duheme said the police relied on parliamentary hearings and news reports for leads..“When did the RCMP open its investigation concerning Beijing’s intimidation campaign against MP Chong?” asked Cooper. .“We found out about it through the committee here and through the media,” replied Duheme..READ MORE RCMP investigating China intimidating MP Chong and family.NDP MP Rachel Blaney (North Island-Powell River, BC) expressed concern over the alarming testimony she heard..“It is alarming to me that we have multiple MPs who were targeted and they just didn’t know,” said Blaney. .“That’s concerning.”.The Elections Commissioner Caroline Simard has asked the RCMP to investigate 23 alleged incidents of election interference during the last two federal elections. Simard told the House Affairs committee on March 2 at a hearing..“We have conducted a rigorous and thorough review of every complaint and every piece of information brought to our intention concerning allegations of foreign interference in both the 2019 and 2021 general elections,” said Commissioner Simard. .“This review is ongoing as I speak to determine whether there is any tangible evidence of wrongdoing under the Canada Elections Act.”.READ MORE More than 100 RCMP investigations launched into foreign political interference.On March 2, Chief Electoral Officer Stephane Perrault said he knew about numerous alleged Chinese election interference incidents..“I don’t have any factual information about foreign interference,” said Perrault..“What prevents you from taking pre-emptive action?” asked Bloc Québécois MP Christine Normandin (Saint-Jean, QC). .“Well, one of the constraints is we live in a free and open society,” replied Perrault. .“When we live in an open society, there are risks that foreign governments take advantage of that. We don’t want measures that involve actual surveillance of Canadians.”
