The Canadian government has launches a public investigation of the foreign interference
The government has chosen a very experienced lawyer to do this.
This week, Canada's Minister of Public Safety Dominic LeBlanc announced the launch of a public inquiry into foreign interference in the country's federal electoral processes and democratic institutions. The announcement was the result of consultations with all recognized parties in the House of Commons. All parties agreed to the proposed terms of reference and the appointment of a commissioner.
Judge Marie-Josée Hogue of the Quebec Court of Appeal will head the inquiry. Her term as Commissioner will begin on September 18, 2023.
As one of the country's leading trial lawyers, Hogue was appointed to the Quebec Court of Appeal in 2015. She has appeared before all levels of court and the Supreme Court of Canada, as well as national and international arbitration tribunals. In 2009, Judge Hogue became a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and in 2012 received the Avocate émérite (Ad. E.) designation from Barreau du Québec and has been recognized in numerous peer-reviewed lists.
Marie-Josée Hogue is tasked with examining possible interventions by China, Russia, and other states and non-state actors and assessing any potential consequences of these interventions. The investigation is tasked with understanding whether any influence was exerted on the 43rd and 44th federal elections at the national and constituency levels or to confirm the integrity of those elections.
The judge will also be asked to assess the ability of federal agencies to detect, deter and counter foreign interference in Canada's democratic processes, and to make recommendations that Hogue deems necessary to better protect Canada's democratic processes.
The Commissioner appointed by the Inquiries Act will operate independently of the government and will be given a full range of powers. These powers include the power to compel witnesses to testify, including on matters of federal jurisdiction, and access to classified and unclassified documents.
The commissioner is directed to submit an interim report by February 29, 2024, and a final report by December 2024. If necessary, Hogue will be able to submit a classified report containing any relevant classified material, as well as a report that can be made available to the public. In order to ensure transparency and a better understanding of the inquiry's findings, leaders of all parties represented in the House of Commons with appropriate security clearance will be invited to view secret versions of the Commissioner's reports.
