What is the story?

The federal government has called on Justice Marie-Josée Hogue to investigate allegations of treason involving current and former parliamentarians. These allegations were highlighted in a recent report from the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP). Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc announced that the Liberals would support a motion by the Bloc Québécois to expand the Hogue Commission's terms of reference to include investigating Canada's federal democratic institutions and parliamentarians. The motion will be voted on Tuesday, with all parties expected to support it.

Justice Hogue is currently heading a commission investigating foreign interference by countries like China, India, and Russia in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections. While her interim report indicated that such meddling did not undermine the overall integrity of the elections, it may have impacted specific ridings.

The NSICOP report revealed that some MPs or Senators were either knowingly or unknowingly involved in foreign interference. This involvement included a former MP meeting with an intelligence official from another country. The report, however, did not disclose the names of the implicated individuals or their political affiliations.

In response, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, Bloc Leader Yves-François Blanchet, and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May have either accessed or are in the process of accessing the unredacted NSICOP report. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has refused to obtain the security clearance necessary to view the full report, arguing it would bind him to secrecy.

The Conservatives suggested that the Hogue Commission issue findings for each case of an MP knowingly participating in foreign interference and report back to Parliament by October 1. While LeBlanc dismissed the idea of releasing the names of suspected MPs, citing potential criminal prosecution, Singh expressed his willingness to expel any implicated MPs from his party.

Justice Hogue is expected to release her final report with recommendations on how to address foreign interference by the end of December.

Question for the reader:

How do you think the integrity of democratic institutions can be preserved in the face of allegations of treason and foreign interference by elected officials?

Federal parties agree to ask commissioner to investigate treason allegations in watchdog report