According to three national security sources, Liberal cabinet minister Mary Ng was identified in CSIS investigations as one of 11 Toronto-area candidates clandestinely supported by the Chinese Consulate.

By Sam Cooper | The Bureau

Summary

October 28: Canadian investigative journalist and author, Sam Cooper, joined a press conference today to address the National Press Gallery on recent findings about PRC election interference networks. [View the press conference here].

Sharing the platform in tandem with independent MP Kevin Vuong, Michel Juneau-Katsuya, a former CSIS intelligence officer, and Charles Burton, a senior fellow at Sinopsis, Cooper drew at length on findings from the third edition of his book, Wilful Blindness, which details how United Front groups are central to targeting Canadian politicians for influence and election interference.

In his opening remarks, Cooper highlighted the involvement of Senator Yuen Pau Woo and the Canada Committee 100 Society, led by Ding Guo, in discussions with United Front groups. He also touched on the involvement of Liberal candidate Parm Bains and Conservative Senator Victor Oh, both connected to the United Front through their associations.

Cooper’s work has revealed that Senator Woo’s stance on United Front groups aligns with Chinese intelligence talking points. It also implicates Liberal cabinet minister Mary Ng in CSIS investigations as one of 11 Toronto-area candidates clandestinely supported by Chinese Consulate and United Front influence networks in the 2019 election.

Mary Ng was a key Ontario Liberal staffer who relocated to Ottawa with Trudeau, along with prominent advisors such as Katie Telford and Gerald Butts.

Two national security sources revealed that CSIS was particularly concerned about Ng’s staff members allegedly holding private meetings with a Toronto Consulate diplomat to discuss China-related matters. This diplomat, identified by CSIS as Zhao Wei and labeled a ‘confirmed intelligence actor,’ was suspected of collaborating with political staffers to gather information on elected officials’ meetings and locations. According to one source, there was evidence that Ng’s staff were instructed to report back to the Consulate on her activities.

Despite requests, neither Mary Ng nor Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office has responded to Cooper for comment.

Continue to Sam Cooper’s report here at The Bureau [full-text is available via subscription only].