Canada: PM Justin Trudeau comments on David Johnston’s foreign interference interim report – May 23, 2023

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with reporters on Parliament Hill following the release of David Johnston’s first report on foreign interference. The special rapporteur has recommended against holding a formal inquiry into foreign interference, and says he will be holding public hearings into the matter as part of the second phase of his mandate. The former governor general was appointed to the position of independent special rapporteur on foreign interference in March, following a series of media reports alleging Chinese meddling in the 2019 and 2021 Canadian federal elections. All Opposition parties have called for an independent public inquiry.