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No Public Inquiry to be Launched Into Foreign Interference

Photo Credit: @GGDavidJohnston

David Johnston says public hearings on foreign interference will take place, but not a public inquiry

Former Governor General David Johnston is not recommending a public inquiry on foreign interference in the last two elections. 

However, the special rapporteur says he plans to hold a series of public hearings on the matter. 

For months, the federal government has faced accusations of Chinese interference in the last two federal elections, prompting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to appoint Johnston to look into whether an inquiry is needed. 

Johnston says he plans to speak to and hear from Canadians, as well as experts and current and former government officials

He also notes a public inquiry would not be the best way forward, because he has reviewed "all of the relevant facts", and an inquiry would duplicate his efforts, leading to delays. 

While his report did identify some gaps in communicating intelligence, he says there is "no convincing evidence" to suggest the government failed to act on specific instances of foreign interference during the last two federal elections. 

A detailed schedule of the hearings is expected to be released during the next few weeks. 

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