Trudeau defends Han Dong amid report CSIS warned of foreign influence concerns – National | 24CA News

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is defending Liberal MP Han Dong amid allegations that Canada’s home spy company warned Liberals in 2019 that he was a part of a Chinese overseas interference community.

Speaking to reporters in Mississauga Monday, Trudeau was requested concerning the allegations and mentioned he was “extraordinarily happy” to have Dong in Parliament.

“I want to make everyone understand fully that Han Dong is an outstanding member of our team and suggestions that he is somehow not loyal to Canada should not be entertained,” Trudeau mentioned.

“There are 1.7 million Canadians who proudly trace their origins back to China. Those Canadians should always be welcomed as full Canadians and encouraged to stand for office, to get involved in their communities and to take on part of the leadership of this country.”

Global News reported on Friday that three weeks earlier than Canada’s 2019 federal election, nationwide safety officers allegedly gave an pressing, categorised briefing to senior aides to Trudeau, warning them that certainly one of their candidates was a part of a Chinese overseas interference community.

According to sources, the candidate in query was Han Dong, then a former Ontario MPP whom Canadian Security Intelligence Service had began monitoring in June of that 12 months.

National safety officers additionally allege that Dong, now a sitting MP re-elected in 2021, is certainly one of no less than 11 Toronto-area driving candidates allegedly supported by Beijing within the 2019 contest. Sources say the service additionally believes Dong is a witting affiliate in China’s election interference networks.

In an announcement printed Monday, Dong mentioned he “strongly” rejects “the insinuations in media reporting that allege (he has) played a role in offshore interference.”

Dong added that he’ll defend himself “vigorously” in opposition to the claims.

“Safeguarding Canada’s democracy is integral to public service. I will support all fact-based efforts from parliamentarians to investigate alleged offshore interference and if called upon look forward to refuting these anonymous and unverified allegations,” Dong’s assertion learn.

The sources who spoke to Global requested anonymity, out of concern they might be prosecuted below the Security of Information Act.

Global’s ongoing investigation over the previous 4 months has revealed unique particulars about considerations over China’s makes an attempt to intervene and affect Canadian elections, together with allegations {that a} community being run out of China’s consulate in Toronto allegedly aimed to assist no less than 11 Toronto-area driving candidates from the Liberals and Conservatives within the 2019 contest.

On Monday, Trudeau mentioned that Jody Thomas — his prime nationwide safety and intelligence adviser — and Global Affairs Canada Deputy Minister David Morrison will testify later this week at a parliamentary committee investigating overseas interference points.

Conservatives on that committee have renewed calls pushing for Trudeau’s prime aide, Katie Telford, to additionally testify.

The prime minister additionally inspired Parliament’s nationwide safety committee — a cross-partisan panel with entry to categorised paperwork and briefings — to analyze the matter.

Trudeau has not, nevertheless, weighed in on the potential for an impartial public inquiry into overseas interference — one thing that former nationwide safety officers, in addition to Trudeau’s former senior adviser, have endorsed.

On Monday, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh additionally got here out in favour of a “transparent and independent” investigation into the allegations of overseas interference.

“The way to stop alleged secret Chinese interference is to refuse to keep their secrets for them,” Singh mentioned.

“A fully independent and non-partisan public inquiry is the way to shine a light into the shadows.”

&copy 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.