Trudeau's pick of former GG Johnston as interference rapporteur under fire from opposition
CTV
The two largest opposition parties have been quick to question Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's pick of former governor general David Johnston as the new special rapporteur tasked with making an all-encompassing assessment of foreign interference and the integrity of Canada's democracy.
The two largest opposition parties have been quick to question Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's pick of former governor general David Johnston as the new special rapporteur tasked with making an all-encompassing assessment of foreign interference and the integrity of Canada's democracy.
Naming someone who was above reproach was said to be a top priority for all ahead of the prime minister making his pick – a decision his office says was made after consultation with opposition parties.
"Canadians need to have confidence in our electoral system, and in our democracy. As Independent Special Rapporteur, David Johnston brings integrity and a wealth of experience and skills, and I am confident that he will conduct an impartial review to ensure all necessary steps are being taken to keep our democracy safe and uphold and strengthen confidence in it," said the prime minister in a news release on Wednesday.
However, less than 24 hours after Trudeau announced Canada's current federal leaders' debates commissioner would be switching jobs, Conservatives and Bloc Quebecois politicians are voicing concerns over Johnston's impartiality. The New Democrats, however, say they trust Johnston to do the job, panning the other parties for allowing partisanship to cloud the conversation around the integrity of Canada’s electoral processes.
Critics are pointing to a few specific points on Johnston’s resume and comments he's made over his time in public life. Federal Liberals have been quick to come to his defence, decrying the Conservatives for -- as one Liberal MP put it -- walking "all over someone's stellar reputation" just to "get an ounce of political gain out of it.”
Tapping an independent rapporteur to take a wide-spanning look at the issue was one commitment Trudeau made earlier this month, as part of a suite of measures. The prime minister announced this role, and has asked a pair of national security bodies to investigate, in an effort to assuage concerns over reporting alleging specific attempts by Beijing to alter the outcomes of the 2019 and 2021 federal elections.
In their latest denial of interference, the Chinese embassy in Ottawa tweeted Thursday that China has "never interfered in other countries' internal affairs."
