• Thursday, 04 April 2024 03:23

• Politics

Independent MP Han Dong Seeks Return to Liberal Party Amid Foreign Interference Inquiry

Amidst revelations from security briefings regarding foreign interference in the 2021 election, Independent Member of Parliament Han Dong testified before the Foreign Interference Commission on Tuesday. Dong emphasized his unwavering advocacy for the well-being of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, detained in China since December 2018, expressing a desire to rejoin the Liberal Party. Dong's decision to sit as an Independent followed allegations by Global News in February 2021, accusing him of advising a senior Chinese diplomat to delay the release of Kovrig and Spavor. However, former special rapporteur on foreign interference, David Johnston, debunked these allegations in a report released last May, leading Dong to file a defamation lawsuit against Global News and its parent company.

During his testimony, Dong reiterated his stance on the early release of the two Michaels, emphasizing its importance for fostering positive relations between Canada and China, especially within the Chinese-Canadian community. Despite the ongoing lawsuit and uncertainties regarding his political future, Dong remains committed to clearing his name and potentially rejoining the Liberal Party.

Johnston's report highlighted irregularities in Dong's nomination for the federal Liberals in 2019, suggesting a potential connection to the People's Republic of China consulate in Toronto. However, the report clarified that Dong may not have been aware of these irregularities or the consulate's involvement. Dong defended his interactions with diplomats, asserting that such engagements are part of his responsibilities as an MP representing a significant Chinese diaspora constituency.

As Dong testified, a document summarizing intelligence related to his communication with PRC officials regarding Kovrig and Spavor was disclosed at the inquiry, shedding further light on the complexities surrounding his involvement in the matter.

Summary Reveals Han Dong's Views on 'Two Michaels' Detention Amid Inquiry

According to an unclassified summary, Han Dong expressed nuanced perspectives during an inquiry, suggesting that the release of the 'Two Michaels' by the People's Republic of China (PRC) might not necessarily be seen positively by opposition parties in Canada. He purportedly stated that even if the detainees were released, opposition parties might interpret it as an affirmation of Canada's hardline stance towards the PRC. Dong further highlighted public sentiment in Canada, asserting that the perception of China's treatment of Kovrig and Spavor as unjust and legally dubious was widespread. He cautioned against adopting a firm stance against the PRC, warning of its potential detrimental effects on Sino-Canadian relations.

The summary also mentioned Dong's remarks regarding the challenges of altering entrenched perspectives, particularly in the context of the 'Two Michaels' case. However, when questioned about a specific phone call related to these matters during the inquiry, Dong claimed no recollection of the conversation.

Furthermore, the document cautioned that its contents should be interpreted with caution due to various limitations. These limitations include the potential incompleteness of the information, lack of timestamps, reliance on single sources, and varying degrees of reliability.

During Tuesday's proceedings, the commission inquired about intelligence reports suggesting the use of buses to transport international students to Dong's 2019 nomination vote. Dong clarified that while he campaigned at a student residence affiliated with NOIC Academy, the buses were arranged and funded by the school. He emphasized that his campaign activities remained within his electoral district and denied involvement in organizing transportation for voters. Ted Lojko, Dong's campaign director in 2019, corroborated this, indicating that students likely had to prove their permanent residency to vote.

Previously, Dong stated that his campaign arranged one bus for senior party members, but later revised this to two buses, with receipts submitted to Elections Canada.

Dong Addresses Questions on Voting Abstention and Nomination Day Activities in Inquiry

During cross-examination by the Conservative Party's counsel, Han Dong explained his abstention from voting on a Conservative motion in February 2021 that condemned China for alleged human rights abuses against Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims. Dong stated that he refrained from voting because he hadn't seen sufficient evidence to convince him of the presence or absence of a genocide, opting for abstention as a fair stance. This decision stood in contrast to the overwhelming support for the motion in the House of Commons, with only two abstentions out of 338 votes, and notable absence of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and most of his cabinet members during the vote.

Dong also clarified his involvement in the rental of two coaches for nomination day activities, attributing the organization of the coaches to his wife. He explained that the coaches were utilized to transport voters from seniors' homes, where he had previously canvassed for support.

Additionally, testimonies from party officials shed light on the perceived shortcomings of security briefings received before and during the 2021 federal election. Walied Soliman, Conservative campaign co-chair, expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of new information provided during the Security and Intelligence Threats to Elections (SITE) Task Force briefings. He criticized the sessions for not offering actionable insights beyond what was already known from public sources. Similarly, Azam Ishmael, who led the Liberals' 2021 campaign, described the briefings as lacking in recommendations, while NDP national director Anne McGrath highlighted the disconnect between the high-level security presence at the briefings and the generic, non-actionable information provided.

Overall, the testimonies underscored concerns about the effectiveness and utility of the security briefings in addressing potential foreign interference in the electoral process.

SITE Task Force Briefing Details Lack of Evidence on Foreign Interference in Canadian Elections

During the inquiry, the commission's counsel presented a document from the Security and Intelligence Threats to Elections (SITE) Task Force, shedding light on a 2021 briefing regarding lessons learned from the 2019 federal election. According to the briefing note, the SITE Task Force found no evidence to suggest that foreign countries targeted Elections Canada or directly interfered with the electoral system during the 2019 election. It also noted the absence of foreign interference in the digital information ecosystems surrounding the election.

However, the document did acknowledge the presence of "human actors" from countries like China, India, and Pakistan engaging in foreign interference activities, albeit without meeting the threshold for initiating criminal investigations. Despite this observation, campaign leaders expressed ignorance of the document and claimed to have no recollection of receiving specific information about targeted ridings or candidates in the 2019 election.

Walied Soliman and Azam Ishmael, campaign leaders for the Conservative and Liberal parties respectively, admitted that the possibility of foreign interference was not a significant concern leading up to the 2021 election, citing a lack of prior knowledge about such activities in the 2019 election. Anne McGrath, NDP national director, emphasized the importance of receiving actionable intelligence about potential interference, expressing frustration at the absence of details regarding targeted ridings and suggested measures to counter interference.

The commission's counsel also referenced another document from the SITE Task Force detailing briefings to political parties, which allegedly highlighted China's interest in the Conservative Party's platform and its implications for Canada-China relations. However, Soliman, Ishmael, and McGrath all stated that they did not recall receiving such specific briefings during the 2021 election campaign.

In 2021, the Conservative Party's platform included pledges to recognize the Uyghur genocide, ban imports manufactured with forced Uyghur labor, and exclude Huawei from Canada's 5G mobile infrastructure—a stance that could have attracted attention from China, according to the alleged briefing.

Conservative Party's Concerns Over Foreign Interference Highlighted in Inquiry

The Conservative Party's platform in the 2021 federal election included pledges to investigate Huawei's alleged involvement in providing surveillance capabilities against Uyghur and other persecuted minorities in China. Walied Soliman, the Conservative representative on the Security and Intelligence Threats to Elections (SITE) Task Force during the 2021 race, has voiced concerns about tampering in ridings with significant Chinese diasporas. However, Soliman stated that the party was never notified of any threats to the electoral process and lamented that their concerns were not taken seriously.

Former national security adviser Jody Thomas testified that the government responded to Soliman's concerns and found no evidence suggesting that the ridings in question were affected by attempts at foreign interference. The ongoing Foreign Interference Commission inquiry, led by Quebec judge Marie-Josee Hogue, aims to gather testimony from over 40 individuals, including community members, political party representatives, and federal election officials. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, members of his cabinet, and various senior government officials are scheduled to appear at the hearings, which are slated to conclude on April 10. The commission is expected to release an initial report of findings on May 3, followed by a broader examination of the government's ability to detect, deter, and counter foreign interference, with a final report expected by the end of the year.

Senior writer Peter Zimonjic, with contributions from The Canadian Press, provides insights into federal politics and the minority Liberal government. As the inquiry progresses, the spotlight remains on efforts to ensure transparency and safeguard the integrity of Canada's electoral process.

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