Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the outcome of the election would not be affected and that it was “impossible” for the Chinese government to favor one political party over another.
China tried to interfere in the last two Canadian elections, but the results were not affected, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says it is “impossible” that China favored one political party over another. Told.
In sworn testimony Wednesday before the committee conducting a public inquiry into allegations of foreign interference in Canada's 2019 and 2021 elections, Prime Minister Trudeau answered questions about the intelligence briefings he received, saying the elections were “free and fair.” ” he claimed.
The prime minister established the commission last year after pressure from opposition MPs unhappy with media coverage of China's possible role in the election. China has consistently denied interfering in Canada's internal affairs, calling the allegations “groundless.”
Erin O'Toole, who led the main opposition Conservative party in the 2021 election campaign, estimated that his party had lost up to nine seats due to Chinese interference, but added that the course of the election had not changed. . Prime Minister Trudeau's Liberal Party won both elections.
“We saw and heard nothing, even though the elections were conducted in good faith, despite attempts at foreign interference. They were decided by Canadians,” Trudeau said.
He was asked about an intelligence report showing that Chinese officials in Canada have indicated they want to form a Liberal minority government in 2021, recognizing that a minority government will be more restricted in implementing anti-China policies. Prime Minister Trudeau said he had not received the report.
“While unique, [Chinese] Officials may have expressed some preferences, but the impression we have received, and continue to receive, is that… it is highly unlikely that the Chinese government itself will have electoral preferences.” said Prime Minister Trudeau.
“China has no interest in interfering in Canada's affairs.”
On Monday, Canada's domestic spy agency told the committee that China “covertly and deceptively interfered” in both elections, the most solid evidence yet of China's alleged interference in Canadian politics. said.
A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Canada said that Trudeau had “slandered” China during the investigation and that “China strongly regrets this and firmly opposes this.”
The spokesperson accused some politicians of trying to target China with public inquiries.
“China has never had any interest in interfering in Canada's internal affairs,” the spokesperson added.
The election was held amid heightened tensions between the two countries over the 2018 arrest in Canada of the head of Chinese company Huawei on a U.S. warrant.
Shortly after, China detained two Canadians on suspicion of espionage. The men were released three years later, shortly after the detained Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou reached an agreement with U.S. prosecutors and flew home.
The commission plans to complete its initial report by May 3 and submit a final report by the end of 2024.