Global Courant
NDP leader Jagmeet Singh says he is still “cautiously optimistic” that the federal government will launch a public inquiry into foreign interference, while inter-party talks are underway on how best to address the issue.
Opposition MPs have been calling for a public inquiry into foreign interference since March, and former Special Rapporteur David Johnston’s decision not to recommend one quickly drew criticism.
Since Johnston’s resignation early last month – citing a “very partisan atmosphere” – there have been renewed calls for an investigation. However, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said last month that the federal government will not make any announcements about investigating foreign interference until the Liberals receive “full support” from opposition parties on how to proceed.
Singh told reporters in Toronto on Tuesday that he has left talks with other parties to NDP House leader Peter Julian and remains “cautiously optimistic” that those talks will lead to the Liberals launching a public inquiry.
“It will build more confidence in our electoral system and restore the confidence that has been damaged by the allegations of foreign interference,” Singh said.
Just before parliament broke for the summer, Yves-Francois Blanchet, the leader of the Bloc Quebecois, had signaled that an announcement was imminent. Conservative leader Pierre Poilièvre, meanwhile, has made it clear – both in the House and in writing to Secretary of Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc – that his “demands” are that Trudeau agree to conduct an independent inquiry under the Inquiries Act, and that his party then will provide a shortlist of names to lead it, as well as a proposed mandate and terms of reference.
Asked on Tuesday if he fears the Liberals will avoid an inquiry by pointing the finger at the opposition for failing to reach a consensus on the issue, Singh said that is “exactly” his concern.
“It doesn’t matter how we do that work, what’s clear is that we need consensus, and we can have consensus,” he said. “We can work together to do this, and we don’t accept the idea that it’s impossible to reach a consensus.”
Singh said he would like to see someone chosen to lead a public inquiry in a similar process to selecting an Ontario auditor general, namely an open competitive selection process with input from all parties.
With files from CTVNews.ca’s Senior Digital Parliamentary Reporter Rachel Aiello
