Canada launches investigation into Chinese interference in elections
A new proceeding could lead to criminal charges.
The announcement of an independent investigation that could lead to criminal charges comes a day after Canadian officials called for a public inquiry into alleged Chinese interference in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections.
A recent media report citing Canadian intelligence sources said that a Chinese meddling network was working to influence the election in favour of the Liberal Party, led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and to defeat candidates deemed hostile to China.
"This is to determine if there will be any hard evidence of election irregularities," Commissioner of Canada Elections Caroline Simard told a parliamentary committee Thursday.
Reports released by the federal government acknowledge that China tried to interfere in the Canadian election, but the attempts were unsuccessful.
David Vigneault, head of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, said at a hearing Thursday that the working arm of the Chinese Communist Party, a unit "dedicated to foreign interference," has a larger budget than the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
