Liberals tap judge to lead foreign interference public inquiry
CTV
After months of deliberations, the federal government has found a judge to lead a public inquiry into foreign interference, CTV News has confirmed.
After months of deliberations, the federal government will be launching a public inquiry into foreign interference, and have found a judge to lead it, CTV News has confirmed.
According to government sources, Quebec Court of Appeal Justice Marie-Josée Hogue will lead the probe, which will look beyond China to other foreign meddling.
Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc is expected to make the announcement about the terms and timeline for the inquiry on Thursday.
Sources told CTV News that Hogue will be heading into this effort with the goal of reaching conclusions and recommendations prior to the next federal election, currently scheduled for 2025.
This development comes after several months of opposition parties and some national security stakeholders calling for a full public inquiry, amid heightened attention on alleged attempts by China to meddle in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections.
Sources specifically pointed to the alleged targeting of certain Conservative ridings in Ontario and B.C. in 2021 as an area Hogue will investigate.
The spring decision by then-special rapporteur David Johnston not to recommend an inquiry—citing the inability to satisfy the concerns of Canadians due to the national security limitations on making key details public—drew swift criticism.
