Anything less than a public inquiry on foreign interference is not enough: Poilievre

The issue of a public inquiry on suspected Chinese foreign interference is expected to be a hot-topic this week in the House of Commons, which resumed Monday.

A public inquiry into allegations of Chinese interference in Canadian elections and society is the only option Conservatives will accept, Leader Pierre Poilievre says.

Poilievre made the comments to reporters on Monday as the House of Commons resumes following a two-week hiatus, and as suspected Chinese foreign interference in Canada is expected to be a hot topic this week.

When asked if Conservatives would accept being briefed by security officials regarding the allegations first reported by Global News and the Globe and Mail over recent months, Poilievre said that would be a “trap.”

“What they would do is bring opposition MPs or leaders into a room, give them some information and then swear them to secrecy so they couldn’t ever speak about it again,” he said.

“Effectively that would be a trick to try and prevent anyone debating the subject anymore, so no, we’re not going to have a situation where Conservatives are told that they have to be quiet about this scandal because they’re sworn to secrecy.”

The NDP, which is upholding the minority Liberal government through a supply and confidence agreement struck last year, is calling for the government to hold a public inquiry.

The idea also has the backing of the Conservative and Bloc Québécois parties.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has so far resisted calls for a public inquiry, saying Friday there are other procedures underway — including a House of Commons committee’s expanded probe into the matter — that are equipped to address the allegations.