Opposition Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre would release the names of members of Parliament “deemed to have knowingly participated in foreign interference” should his party form government, his office says.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau used his testimony before a federal inquiry on foreign interference to say he has the names “of a number of parliamentarians, former parliamentarians and/or candidates” within the Conservative party who intelligence shows “are engaged, or at high risk” of foreign interference. Trudeau said he was privy to the information because he is prime minister.
Poilievre accused Trudeau of “lying” and challenged him to release the identities of the unnamed parliamentarians in a committee report that cites “troubling” intelligence about some being “‘semi-witting or witting’ participants in the efforts of foreign states to interfere in our politics.”
On Oct. 16 he issued a statement calling on Trudeau to release the names of “all MPs” known to have collaborated with foreign interference.
Poilievre has faced criticism from the governing Liberals, New Democrats, the Bloc Quebecois and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May for refusing to obtain the security clearance needed to receive classified briefings.
But Poilievre says the classified briefings would prevent him from sharing what he learns publicly. He has also said his chief of staff receives them... [Continue Reading]