MPs have called for an investigation, Justin Trudeau must listen

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Justin Trudeau’s actions this week are ridiculing our democracy and undermining trust in our institutions.

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Despite a second vote by the majority of MPs calling for a public inquiry, he refuses – just as he refuses to exclude David Johnston from the inquiry into Chinese interference.

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MPs must now decide whether to let Trudeau get away with it or force him to act in some other way. This does not mean that the opposition parties have to force an election, although this should not be ruled out, but they must work together.

MPs should find a way to stall the work of Parliament, hold up government priorities and slow down the government’s agenda pending a public inquiry. If that doesn’t work, they may have to find a way to reject the government and force a new election.

There’s not much time left, the House of Representatives is technically scheduled to meet by June 23, but it could go on summer recess as early as next week.

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This may seem like a drastic decision, but consider what lies ahead.

Allegations against this government are that China interfered in the last two elections to help liberal candidates and specifically tried to help elect a liberal government in 2021. The Conservatives had candidates who were also reportedly backed by Beijing in 2019, but unlike the Liberals, they are calling for a public inquiry.

Intelligence experts, including former CSIS agents, who have worked on the issue have confirmed that each party has been targeted by China and that they would all unearth embarrassing information if the public knew the whole truth. But only the Liberals refuse to support the idea of ​​an inquiry, and only Trudeau has the power to launch one.

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Instead of calling anyone, he asked his longtime friend – that’s Trudeau’s description, not mine – to look into the matter. David Johnston, the former governor-general, issued his report last week that he did not believe an investigation was warranted. But Canadians don’t trust Johnston.

Only 27% of Canadians believe Johnston and his report on China’s electoral interference to be impartial, and unsurprisingly most of them vote liberals. These are the findings of a Leger poll for Postmedia, which also found that 69% of Canadians are concerned about China’s meddling efforts.

Trudeau doesn’t seem overly concerned about Chinese interference.

We have evidence of China interfering in the nomination races of various parties, attempting to influence the outcome of two consecutive elections by targeting certain Conservative and NDP MPs in various ways, China running illegal police stations to Intimidating Canadians, and we still don’t know what happened at the Winnipeg lab.

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But don’t worry, Trudeau says, David Johnston is involved in the case.

Johnston appeared unaware of the attack on Erin O’Toole, about which CSIS informed the former Conservative leader last week. Johnston was twice challenged in committee on Thursday for his allegations that officers did not have access to top-secret emails.

Jody Thomas, the Prime Minister’s national security and intelligence adviser, and Bill Blair, the former Public Safety Secretary, testified that Johnston’s description in his official report was incorrect. But are we to believe Johnston, take his report at face value, and support his view that no public inquiry is necessary?

The facts show that an investigation is necessary. But more importantly, the House of Commons has voted for it to be convened on two separate occasions.

The MPs have spoken, it’s time for Justin Trudeau to listen to them.

bliley@postmedia.com