In the recent news, there have been leaks regarding the interference of the People's Party of China on our federal elections. These disclosures were brought to us via Canada's mainstream media from CSIS whistleblowers. Both CSIS and the RCMP are investigating these leaks for possible violations of the Security of Information Act. Canadians would like to see an investigation into the actual allegations of foreign interference.
Global News reported that the Privy Council Office produced a report for the Trudeau government cautioning that Chinese officials dispensed funds to a "covert network tasked to interfere in Canada's 2019 election."
Opposition leader, Pierre Poilievere, read the following quote in the House of Commons as disclosed by Global News regarding the PCO report, "A large clandestine transfer of funds earmarked for the federal election from the PRC Consulate in Toronto was transferred to an elected provincial government official via a staff member of a 2019 federal candidate,"
In 2022, Global News did bring comparable claims. They revealed a CSIS account informing the Trudeau government in January 2022 of Chinese government efforts to interfere with the 2019 federal election by transmitting funds to at least 11 candidates.
Our Prime Minister maintains that his government has no information of any federal candidates receiving money from China.
The Conservatives, the Bloc and the NDP have all called for an independent public inquiry into Chinese government interference of our elections. Bloc MP, Alain Therrien says the question is not about whether the outcome of the election was affected. "When the integrity of the electoral process is threatened, it's the responsibility of all of us in this house to stand up for it." Therrien made this statement in the House of Commons when calling for an independent public inquiry.
Even though we are hearing from government officials that there was no compromise to the results of the 2019 and 2021 federal elections due to foreign interference, the fact remains that there was still interference that is pervasive, aggressive and potentially damaging to our democracy. In short, we are dealing with a serious matter where the truth must be revealed so we are able to protect ourselves moving forward.
To add to the rising concerns of Chinese government intrusion into our domestic affairs, reports of Chinese "police stations" in Canadian cities have also re-emerged. On Thursday, the RCMP announced they were investigating two associations in the Montreal area allegedly supported by the PPC and being used as "police stations" for the purpose of coercion and intimidation of Canadians of Chinese descent. In November, the RCMP launched similar investigations in the Toronto area resulting in the stopping of activity of four purported Chinese "police stations".
Pray that everything in the shadows will come into the light.
Pray that the government will not try to hide the truth in order to preserve their position and reputation. Pray that in areas where they did fall short, they would have the courage to be transparent and even repentant.
Pray that rather than remaining partisan, MP's will have the courage to speak the truth.
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