Court Painter with a still wet portrait of Special rapporteur David Johnston
Former governor general David Johnston issued a decision today on whether Canada needs a public inquiry into foreign interference.
OTTAWA — Special rapporteur David Johnston said Tuesday that a formal inquiry into foreign interference is not needed, that public hearings should be held as part of his own mandate.
Johnston said an inquiry could not be undertaken in public because of the sensitivity of the intelligence involved, and formal subpoena powers are not required for him to hold his own hearings with diaspora communities, academics and political stakeholders.
Johnston’s verdict came in a report released Tuesday May 23/23. He announced his decision to at a a news conference .
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed Johnston as independent special rapporteur on foreign interference in March after a series of stories from The Globe and Mail and Global News reported a range of Chinese government operations to interfere in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections and to influence policymakers and institutions.
Conservative Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre’s anticipated reaction to news!
Pierre Poilievre ,Conservative Leader expresses his feelings through a painting.
Court Painter is pleased with his capturing the opposition leader under a full head of steam.