National public inquiry into foreign interference to proceed in two phases: commissioner

The long-called-for national public inquiry into foreign interference in Canadian elections and democratic institutions has started to get rolling in earnest, with the commissioner deciding her work will proceed in phases, with public hearings beginning early next year, and culminating in a final report at the end of 2024.

The long-called-for national public inquiry into foreign interference in Canadian elections and democratic institutions has started to get rolling in earnest, with the commissioner deciding her work will proceed in phases, with public hearings beginning early next year, and culminating in a final report at the end of 2024.

In a statement providing an update on the work undertaken since beginning her mandate Sept. 18, Justice Marie-Josée Hogue said she's been hiring staff, setting up offices, and planning.

Hogue said the next step will be launching a website, and unveiling more information about the inquiry's work plan, on Nov. 10. The inquiry will also start soliciting applications for standing from interested parties next week, noting "funding may be available for parties that meet approved guidelines."

The most notable decision it seems Hogue has come to in the seven weeks since taking on the job of investigating interference by China, Russia and other foreign state and non-state actors, is that the inquiry will include two phases.

The first phase will focus on any past potential interference and the impact it may have had on the 2019 and 2021 federal elections. This portion of the probe will include an assessment of the flow of information within the federal government in relation to this alleged meddling, and scrutinize the actions taken in response.

Phase 2 will see the inquiry dig in to "the capacity of federal departments, agencies, institutional structures, and governance processes to permit the Government of Canada to detect and counter such interference."

Public hearings will be part of both phases, and timing-wise are expected to take place in early 2024 and fall 2024. Public submissions will also be accepted, but the process for those remains unspecified.