Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday appointed a former governor general as a special investigator to look into allegations of Chinese interference in Canada’s last two elections.
Trudeau announced Wednesday that David Johnston will take over as special rapporteur. Johnston will decide whether a public inquiry is needed and Trudeau has said he will abide by the recommendations.
The Globe and Mail, citing unidentified intelligence sources, reported last month that China preferred to see Trudeau’s Liberals re-elected in the 2021 election and has been working to defeat conservative politicians deemed hostile to Beijing.
CANADIAN TRUDEAU OPENS INVESTIGATION INTO CHINESE ELECTORAL INTERFERENCE
The governor-general is the British monarch’s representative as head of state and holds a mostly ceremonial and symbolic position. Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper appointed Johnston governor-general in 2010 and his term was extended under Trudeau until 2017.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has appointed former Governor General David Johnston to investigate alleged Chinese interference in the nation’s last two elections. (DAVE CHAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Johnston holds degrees in law from Cambridge University and Queen’s University. He was a law professor for 45 years and was also president of the University of Waterloo.
CANADIAN OFFICIALS INSIST MAN INTENTIONALLY SWITCHED CURRENT OVER PEDESTRIAN IN RANDOM ATTACK
Opposition parties have called for a full public inquiry into the alleged Chinese interference.
Trudeau said all political leaders agreed the election results in 2019 and 2021 were unaffected by foreign interference. But he said that even if he didn’t change the results, any interference from a foreign actor is worrying and serious.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
A group of public officials recently released a report which concluded that there were foreign attempts to interfere, but none affected the outcome of the election.
