Trudeau has 'inspired a lot of suspicion' about election results, Poilievre says

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Tuesday the Liberal government's inaction on alleged election meddling by China has some Canadian voters wondering whether recent election results can be trusted.

Speaking to reporters after a drug-related announcement in B.C., Poilievre said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has "inspired a lot of suspicion" because of his refusal to answer detailed questions about China's role in the 2019 and 2021 election campaigns.

Poilievre said Chinese interference was known at the highest levels of government but was "kept hidden" until "courageous whistleblowers" leaked national security intelligence to the press.

Now, Poilievre said, Trudeau has refused to call a public inquiry into the matter, which has made matters worse.

"What does Justin Trudeau have to hide?" Poilievre said. "If we want to restore faith in our democracy, we have to answer these questions and bring in transparency."

WATCH: 'Trudeau inspired a lot of suspicion' by not answering questions on Beijing interference: Poilievre 

While Trudeau and his cabinet have so far avoided calling a public inquiry, the prime minister said Tuesday his government will soon name a "special rapporteur" who will decide whether a commission of inquiry is necessary to get to the bottom of Beijing's alleged malfeasance.

The government's choice for the rapporteur post will be announced in the "coming days" or this week, Trudeau said.

In meantime, Trudeau has asked the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP), a panel of MPs and senators who have top security clearance, to review what's known about Chinese interference.

The Commons committee on procedure and House affairs is also studying the matter — including claims that China co-opted some candidates and staff and illegally funnelled money into local campaigns to prop up pro-China MPs.

"We are — and have been for a long time — extremely concerned about China's actions towards our businesses, towards our researchers, towards communities here in Canada, and also politics," Trudeau said.

WATCH: 'This is a serious issue': Reporters press Trudeau on attempted election interference 

Trudeau said that a panel of senior public servants monitored the last two campaigns using data compiled by Canada's national security agencies. He said they concluded that while there was meddling, the interference did not meaningfully affect the outcome of the vote.

"This is a serious issue we have always taken seriously, and therefore we're making sure Canadians will continue to have confidence," he said.