On Parliament Hill

A high-profile Liberal publicly invited China to interfere in Canada’s upcoming election, yet Justin Trudeau refuses to condemn his comments.

Over the last several months, Canada’s relationship with China has soured over the arrest of Chinese tech executive Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver. Flexing its muscles, the government of China has illegally detained two Canadians and arbitrarily shut their markets to Canadian meat, canola seed, and soy products.

China’s actions are unacceptable and they show immense disregard for the rule of law. That’s why it was shocking when former Liberal minister and Ambassador to China, John McCallum, in an interview with the South China Morning Post, seemingly gave China advice on how to influence the upcoming Canadian election in the Liberals’ favour.

“Anything that is more negative against Canada will help the Conservatives, [who] are much less friendly to China than the Liberals,” McCallum stated. In other words, he suggested that China should help the Liberals get re-elected because it will benefit China.

Earlier this year, Justin Trudeau’s Foreign Affairs Minister warned that Canada could experience foreign interference in our election. “I think our judgment is interference is very likely and we think there has probably already been efforts by malign foreign actors to disrupt our democracy,” said Chrystia Freeland.

Given the Liberal government’s stated concern about election interference, it would make sense for Justin Trudeau to immediately condemn these comments from one of his former ministers. Instead of taking the opportunity to defend the integrity of Canadian elections, Justin Trudeau has remained silent.

In fairness, Minister Freeland made a general statement, saying it is “inappropriate for any Canadian to be advising any foreign government” on how to influence election outcomes. But when the Canadian in question is someone who for years had a direct line to Prime Minister Trudeau, the Prime Minister must directly distance himself from those comments.

Where Justin Trudeau shied away from his responsibility, Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer was clear. “This invitation of foreign interference in the Canadian election – to a regime that has proven itself hostile to Canadian interests – is absolutely reprehensible,” he said.

When Liberals invite foreign influence into our elections, it undermines our democracy. Canadians must have full confidence that the outcome of the coming election will be up to Canadians alone. If Justin Trudeau isn’t willing to stand up for Canada’s interests on such an integral issue, he doesn’t deserve the trust of Canadians.