Chong learned about the memo two years later. The intelligence was sent from Canada’s spy agency to former public safety minister BILL BLAIR and his chief of staff ZITA ASTRAVAS, but neither received it. “We will not tolerate any form of foreign interference in our internal affairs,” Joly said in a statement at the time.Ī memo, according to Johnston’s report, was written in May 2021 about the plot to target Chong. Johnston’s report found “no intelligence” to indicate Beijing took steps to threaten MICHAEL CHONG’s family, despite evidence the Chinese government was “looking for information” on the Conservative MP.Īn intelligence leak to the Globe and Mail alleged Toronto-based Chinese diplomat ZHAO WEI was involved in a plan to intimidate Chong and his extended family in Hong Kong.įoreign Affairs Minister MÉLANIE JOLY declared Zhao a persona non grata on May 8, a week after the Globe published its story. Here are five other ways to look at the report: “What about the reports that have not been covered by the whistleblower or the media to date?” The rapporteur’s report focuses on stories covered in the news, Chiu said of the blindspots in Johnston’s findings. Johnston may be capable and did the job perfectly as governor general, but unfortunately, that doesn’t mean he’s suitable and the proper person for everything else,” Chiu said, “Especially somebody who’s to call whether an inquiry is needed.” The process is flawed, he said, urging that Johnston be replaced with a rapporteur without any link to the Liberals or the Trudeau family. The Conservative warns it will fail to get to the depth and breadth of China’s foreign interference in Canada. Translation: In governmentese that means “consultations” - making it just about the most Ottawa response ever.įormer MP KENNY CHIU tells Playbook he’s disappointed with Johnston’s prescription. The 56-page report rejected demands for a public inquiry in favor of public hearings. Global News and its reporting on MP HAN DONG did not. Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU and Conservative Leader PIERRE POILIEVRE came out with wins. Johnston’s interim conclusion that Canada’s intelligence-delivery system has “serious shortcomings” isn’t new. WHAT A MESS - During an embargoed reading of DAVID JOHNSTON’s report Tuesday the quiet in the media lockup was punctuated by the sound of heavy exhales and the occasional muffled “Jesus Christ.” David Johnston, independent special rapporteur on Foreign Interference, presents his first report in Ottawa, Ont., on May 23, 2023.
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