Canada public inquiry into foreign interference – PM defends Canadian elections

Canada’s PM Justin Trudeau has defended his government’s efforts to ensure election integrity at a public inquiry looking into election interference in Canada. 

Trudeau said the last two elections – 2019 and 2021- had been “free and fair” and decided only by Canadians. 

The inquiry is looking into allegations that China has been meddling in Canadian politics. 

A briefing document from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) reveals the spy agency said that China had “clandestinely and deceptively” interfered in the last two federal elections.

In the 2019 election, international students were allegedly coerced into supporting one Liberal candidate in a nomination race. 

Trudea’s appearance at the inquiry was largely focused on allegations surrounding former Liberal member of parliament Han Dong. Dong is accused of involvement in Chinese political interference, he denies the allegations. 

Earlier this month, the inquiry heard that Canada’s spy agency had accused China of funding a charter bus in 2019 to send Chinese international students to help Dong secure his party’s nomination.