Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the Canadian government intends to appoint former governor general David Johnston as independent special rapporteur into foreign interference in federal elections. .Johnston was chosen after consultations with all parties in the House of Commons, according to a Wednesday press release. He served as the 28th governor general from 2010 to 2017. .Ironically, Johnston is listed as a member of the controversial Pierre Elliot Trudeau Foundation, who recently returned a $200,000 donation when it was revealed in came from the Chinese government..Prior to becoming governor general, he was a law professor for 45 years. He has spoken and written about Canada’s democratic institutions and the value of trust. .Former prime minister Stephen Harper appointed Johnston as a special advisor in 2007, drafting the terms of reference for a public inquiry into the Airbus affair, which became the Oliphant Commission. He is serving as Leaders’ Debate commissioner, which he will step down from to serve as independent special rapporteur. .The release said Johnston will have a wide mandate to look into foreign interference in the last two Canadian elections and make expert recommendations on how to protect democracy and uphold confidence in it. It said the Canadian government will comply with and implement his recommendations, which could include a formal inquiry, a judicial review, or other independent review process. .It's working with him to finalize his mandate in the coming days, and it will be made public. Building on the work of the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency and the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians and ongoing processes, he will identify any remaining gaps or areas requiring attention to protect democracy..The release concluded by saying the Canadian government will continue to take action to strengthen and protect its democracy and uphold people’s confidence in its institutions. .Trudeau said March 6 he will appoint an independent special rapporteur to make expert recommendations on combating foreign interference. .READ MORE: Trudeau to appoint 'independent special rapporteur' to make recommendations on combating election interference.“So to all Canadians, this is an issue that we continue to take extremely seriously,” said Trudeau..He has been under pressure by opposition parties to call for an inquiry ever since reporting from the Globe and Mail alleged the Chinese government interfered in the 2019 and 2021 elections..The Globe and Mail alleged at least 11 Toronto-area riding candidates were supported by China in the 2019 election.
