NDP not planning to trigger an election

OTTAWA The New Democrats say they are not willing to trigger a federal election over rising concerns about foreign interference in Canadian elections, and are instead continuing to push for a public inquiry on the issue.

Newly Independent MP Han Dong voted with opposition parties in favour of such an inquiry on Thursday, the day after he resigned from the Liberal caucus amid what he says are false allegations that he advised a Chinese diplomat on what the Trudeau government considered a high-priority file: the arbitrary and retaliatory detention of two Canadians in China.

The Conservatives and Bloc Québécois also voted with the New Democrats to pass the motion that urged the government to launch a national, independent, public inquiry into allegations of foreign interference in Canada’s electoral system, although the motion is not binding.

The Liberal government has not ruled out a public inquiry, but Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that an unimpeachable, independent rapporteur should decide whether one is necessary — not politicians.

New Democrat Leader Jagmeet Singh said a public inquiry must be held immediately in order to clear the air about the allegations facing Dong and other media reports that allege foreign interference by China in the past two federal elections.

“My goal is to safeguard democracy, encourage people to participate, make sure people feel comfortable voting, and feel safe to vote and are not being influenced in their votes,” Singh said. “That goal is not met by triggering an election.”

He said holding another election now would leave voters with the same concerns that are swirling in the current political debate.

China has flatly denied the allegations of interference.

“We have no interest in, and will not interfere in, Canada’s internal affairs,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said Thursday. “There should be no irresponsible comments on this,” reads the official English transcript of a news conference in Beijing.

Dong’s vote in favour of a public inquiry came less than 24 hours after his resignation from the Liberal caucus. On Wednesday night, Global News published a report, citing unnamed security sources, alleging that Dong spoke about Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig with a Chinese diplomat in Toronto in February 2021.

Justice Minister David Lametti said Dong stepped aside to sit as an Independent “until he can clear his name.”

China’s Toronto consulate called the claims “utterly groundless” and asked media to “stop smearing and attacking China” with such claims.