Green Party Co-Leader Elizabeth May has stated that she has reviewed the unredacted version of an intelligence watchdog report that suggests parliamentarians have been collaborating with foreign actors. However, she expresses no concerns about any of her colleagues.
Ms. May believes that the important work of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) has been overshadowed by what she considers to be an exaggerated media frenzy.
Initially supportive of the motion, Ms. May has now decided to vote against it.
Addressing reporters on June 11, Ms. May stated, “I am not concerned about anyone in the House of Commons. There is no list of MPs who have shown disloyalty to Canada.”
While she admits feeling relieved after reading the report, she emphasizes that it does not mean there are no issues to address.
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While Ms. May acknowledges the lack of a definitive list of names and the absence of clear disloyalty towards Canada, she highlights that there are a few individuals who may be compromised.
She elaborates, “The few other Members of Parliament mentioned are in the category where even the intelligence reports suggest … we can go from witting and unwitting to willful blindness, should they have known? Should they have figured it out? Who was paying for the buses to get people to show up to vote in different contests?”
The report indicates that the People’s Republic of China had a significant influence on securing Han Dong’s nomination, as confirmed by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS). Mr. Dong later left the Liberal Party amidst allegations regarding his ties to the Chinese consulate.
Number of MPs
Ms. May has been informed by authorities that she cannot disclose the exact number of MPs cited in the report, but she did provide an approximate figure.
“I can confidently say a very low number, fewer than a handful, and none of them could be accused of intentionally betraying Canada in favor of a foreign government,” she stated.
Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc has acknowledged the presence of lawmaker names in foreign interference security reports.
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