An official inquiry into alleged foreign interference in Canada’s last two federal elections has released an interim report.
The Commission on Foreign Interference in Canada’s last two elections found evidence of meddling but says it did not undermine the integrity of the country’s electoral system and did not affect who formed the government.
The commission mainly focused on possible interference by China, Russia and India.
After listening to 60 witnesses over three weeks of hearings, Commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue found in the interim report that disinformation campaigns may have played a part in the nomination process of certain candidates.
Interference from China may have helped elect Liberal candidate Han Dong in suburban Toronto and defeat incumbent Kenny Chiu, a Conservative in suburban Vancouver. Dong is currently an independent Member of Parliament.
Speaking in Ottawa, Hogue said this has left a mark on Canada’s election process.
“Nonetheless, the acts of interference that occurred. Some of these acts have been established — while others remain only suspected — are a stain on our electoral process. And in fact, the process leading up to the actual vote,” Hogue said.
In releasing the interim report, Hogue said it is impossible to determine if this interference affected the number of votes for each candidate.
Credit : Voice of America (VOA), Photo Credit : Associated Press (AP)