Reality check: NDP forces a vote for a public inquiry into allegations of foreign interference in elections

The House of Commons will vote today on a NDP concurrence motion, brought forawrd by NDP MP Peter Julian, on the 25th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, calling on the government "to launch a national public inquiry into allegations of foreign interference in Canada's democratic system, including, but not limited to, allegations of interference in general elections by foreign governments".

This motion, originally scheduled to be voted on last Tuesday, March 21, was blocked by the Conservatives.

This move by the Conservative Party raises many questions about their genuine desire to see a public, independent and transparent inquiry into allegations of foreign interference in our democratic process.

In light of the amount of leaked information published in the media and in order to free this process from the partisan politics that the Liberals and Conservatives have accustomed us to in the context of the study at the Procedure and House Affairs Committee, the NDP calls on MPs from all political parties, including the Liberal Party of Canada, to support this motion and to launch a public inquiry on this issue immediately.

Text of the motion

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(a)(vi) and the motion adopted by the committee on Thursday, March 2, 2023, the committee has considered the matter of foreign election interference.

Your committee calls on the Government of Canada to launch a national public inquiry into allegations of foreign interference in Canada’s democratic system, including but not limited to allegations of interference in general elections by foreign governments;

That this inquiry be granted all the necessary powers to call witnesses from the government and from political parties;

That this inquiry investigates abuse of diaspora groups by hostile foreign governments;

That this inquiry have the power to order and review all documents it deems necessary for this work, including documents which are related to national security;

That the individual heading this inquiry be selected by unanimous agreement by the House Leaders of the officially recognized parties in the House of Commons; and

That this inquiry does not impede or stop the committee’s study on foreign election interference, including the production of documents and the calling of witnesses.