The government’s backpedalling invites the supposition it has something to hide that it had promised to reveal.

By Conrad Black | The Epoch Times

Summary

Everyone, including sensible Liberals, should encourage Madame Justice Hogue to get all of the facts and then release to the public a summary of them, withholding only those matters that she and her commission by non-partisan criteria consider should remain confidential in the national interest.

The issue of foreign interference in elections is a significant concern for many countries. Canada, like other nations, must navigate the delicate balance between protecting sensitive information that could compromise national security or international relations, with ensuring the public has enough information to understand the threats to their democracy.

The case of the alleged involvement of the Indian government in the assassination of a Canadian citizen adds another layer of complexity. It highlights the challenges in dealing with foreign governments, especially when there are diaspora communities with strong ties to their countries of origin.

The relationship between Canada and China is indeed different from that with India, given China’s political system and its global posture. The Chinese government’s actions, including any attempts at influencing Canadian elections or harassing the relatives of Canadian citizens in China, are deeply troubling and warrant a robust response.

The call for investigations into these matters is a step towards addressing these concerns, but the effectiveness of such investigations depends on the government’s willingness to disclose relevant information without compromising national security. The proposal to have a former governor general act as a censor was met with criticism, as it was seen as an attempt to control the narrative rather than fostering a transparent and open discussion.

The establishment of the Foreign Interference Commission, chaired by Justice Marie-Josée Hogue, was intended to provide a thorough and independent investigation into allegations of foreign interference in Canadian elections. The promise of full access to secret documents was meant to ensure that the commission could conduct its inquiry without undue restrictions.

However, the redaction and withholding of documents, contrary to the initial assurances, suggest that the government is facing a dilemma between fulfilling its commitment to transparency and protecting what it perceives as vital state secrets.

The longer the government continues with this evasiveness, the more damage it will do to its own credibility.

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