Calls for inquiry after report MP advised delay in Canadians’ release

Article content

OTTAWA — Federal opposition leaders renewed their call for a public inquiry into foreign interference in Canada’s elections following MP Han Dong’s resignation from the Liberal caucus due to allegations he advised a Chinese diplomat to delay the release of Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig in 2021.

Article content

“These are serious reports of actions that threaten the core of our Canadian democracy. No more hiding. No more coverup. Open, public, independent inquiry now,” Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre wrote on social media.

Dong, who represents the Toronto riding of Don Valley North, announced his resignation from the Liberal caucus Wednesday evening all the while vehemently denying the allegations published by Global News in an emotional address in the House of Commons.

Earlier Wednesday, Global News cited two anonymous national security sources claiming that Dong allegedly suggested to China’s consul general in Toronto in February 2021 that the ruling Liberals would benefit from Beijing delaying the release of the “two Michaels.” The broadcaster reported that Dong told the consul general that releasing the men would help the Opposition Conservatives.

Article content

Article content

Spavor and Kovrig had been imprisoned by Chinese authorities on what many believe were trumped-up and retaliatory charges of espionage since December 2018.

They were released in September 2021 after more than 1,000 days in custody.

Dong told Global News that he did meet with China’s consul general, but he disagreed with the description of the conversation about the two Michaels.

“Let me assure you as a parliamentarian and as a person, I have never and I would never advocate or support the violation of the basic human rights of any Canadian of anyone anywhere,” he said.

In his speech to the House, which ended in tears, Dong also addressed Kovrig, Spavor and their families.

“I did nothing to cause them any harm,” he said.

Article content

“Like everyone in this House, I worked hard and advocated for their interest as a parliamentarian,” he said.

Dong will now sit as an independent.

The National Post has not confirmed any of these allegations.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has declined to launch a public inquiry into growing and increasingly detailed allegations of foreign interference, namely by China, in recent federal elections. Earlier this week, he asked newly named “special rapporteur” David Johnston to report back by the end of May on the need for an inquiry into the matter.

Article content

But that’s far from enough, according to opposition leaders.

“These are extremely serious allegations. If true, the safety of Canadians was put at risk for political gain,” NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh tweeted. “These allegations must be thoroughly investigated. There must be a public inquiry.”

Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet said that a public inquiry into foreign interference was “now urgent” following the allegations against Dong.

“There is also no doubt that the Liberal parti and Justin Trudeau are unequivocally disqualified from playing any role in a public, independent and now urgent inquiry, or in the nomination of a commissioner, which can now only come from Parliament,” he said in a statement.

MPs are expected to vote on a non-binding NDP motion Thursday afternoon calling on the government to “launch a national public inquiry into allegations of foreign interference in Canada’s democratic system” which would include recent reported allegations of interference in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections. 

More to come…

With additional reporting by The Canadian Press