• Thursday, 04 April 2024 19:15

• Politics

RCMP's Ongoing Inquiries into Alleged Election Interference: Commissioner Unveils Limited Details

During a recent inquiry into foreign interference, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme disclosed that the police force had initiated investigations post the 2021 federal elections. These inquiries primarily focus on potential foreign interference in the last two general elections, commencing only after the ballots were tallied. However, Duheme remained tight-lipped regarding specifics concerning the number or nature of these investigations, citing reasons such as the investigations' integrity, privacy concerns, and public safety.

We don't comment on ongoing investigations," stated Duheme following his appearance at the federal commission of inquiry into foreign interference. This inquiry aims to scrutinize possible meddling by countries such as China, India, and Russia in both the 2019 and 2021 federal elections.

Deputy RCMP Commissioner Mark Flynn provided minimal additional information about these ongoing investigations, hinting that some leads had arisen from individuals publicly sharing their experiences, including within the House of Commons.

Public figures such as former Conservative leader Erin O'Toole, Conservative MP Michael Chong, and New Democrat MP Jenny Kwan have all been publicly identified as potential targets of foreign interference by China. However, in a classified interview with the inquiry conducted in February, Duheme asserted that the RCMP had not launched any criminal investigations related to foreign interference during the past two general elections.

Nevertheless, after the 2021 general election, the RCMP initiated investigations, prompted in part by Chong's public acknowledgment of being a target of meddling. Flynn confirmed that while the investigation into this incident has concluded, efforts to combat the broader public safety threat continue.

Duheme emphasized, "If there's information that comes up that says that we should be reopening a file, we reopen it and continue the investigation.

A former deputy minister of foreign affairs, in a classified interview with the inquiry, highlighted that Canada's security and intelligence community has been vigilantly monitoring attempted meddling by China.

Former Deputy Minister Downplays Need for Diplomatic Action Against China Over Election Interference

In a recent disclosure, Marta Morgan, who served as deputy minister from May 2019 until October 2022, asserted that activities suspected of foreign interference during the 2019 and 2021 general elections did not meet the threshold for triggering diplomatic measures against Chinese officials. Morgan's remarks were made during a February interview with the inquiry, as per a newly released public summary.

According to the summary, Global Affairs Canada, during the electoral writ periods, did not contemplate diplomatic actions against China as none of the intelligence gathered raised specific concerns. However, individual political candidates have expressed frustration, stating they were only informed post-elections about the monitoring of activities suspected to be linked to foreign states.

Intelligence leaders maintain that both the 2019 and 2021 elections were conducted freely and fairly. Nonetheless, the Conservative Party argues that more attention should have been directed towards alarming activities detected within specific electoral districts.

While emphasizing transparency and accountability, the disclosure sheds light on the complexities surrounding foreign interference in electoral processes and the measures taken by governmental bodies to address such concerns.

In conclusion, the revelations regarding the perceived threshold for diplomatic actions against China in response to alleged election interference highlight the intricate dynamics at play in safeguarding electoral integrity. Marta Morgan's insights underscore the delicate balance between diplomatic relations and protecting democratic processes. As the inquiry delves deeper into these matters, it becomes increasingly evident that transparency and vigilance are paramount in addressing potential threats to the democratic fabric of nations. Moving forward, a nuanced approach that combines robust monitoring mechanisms with diplomatic engagement may offer a pathway towards fortifying electoral systems against external influence.