Meddling inquiry won’t publicly name parliamentarians suspected by spy watchdog

By The Canadian Press on September 16, 2024.

Commissioner Justice Marie-Josee Hogue speaks about the interim report following its release at the Public Inquiry Into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions, in Ottawa, Friday, May 3, 2024. The latest phase of a federal inquiry into foreign interference is set to kick off today with remarks from commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

OTTAWA – The head of a federal inquiry into foreign interference says she will not be publicly identifying parliamentarians suspected by a spy watchdog of meddling in Canadian affairs.

The National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians raised eyebrows earlier this year with a public version of a secret report that said some parliamentarians were “semi-witting or witting” participants in the efforts of foreign states to meddle in Canadian politics.

Although the report didn’t name individuals, the blunt findings prompted a flurry of concern that members knowingly involved in interference might still be active in politics.

As inquiry hearings resume today, commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue cautions that the allegations are based on classified information, which means the inquiry can neither make them public, nor even disclose them to the people in question.

As a result, she says, the commission of inquiry won’t be able to provide the individuals with a meaningful opportunity to defend themselves.

However, Hogue adds, the commission plans to address the allegations in the classified version of its final report and make recommendations.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 16, 2024.