Policy points, partisan jabs mark closing foreign interference hearing

By Jim Bronskill, The Canadian Press on October 24, 2024.

OTTAWA – Participants in a federal inquiry called on Ottawa today to take bolder action against foreign interference by making effective use of legal tools, closing loopholes and fostering public educaton.

The commission of inquiry heard closing submissions from counsel for political parties, diaspora and human rights groups, and the federal government.

The submissions included doses of partisan finger-pointing as well as earnest policy recommendations.

Several weeks of public hearings this fall have focused on the capacity of federal agencies to detect, deter and counter foreign meddling.

In an interim report in May, commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue said foreign meddling by China did not affect the overall results of the last two general elections.

Her final report is due by the end of the year.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 24, 2024.

8
-7