Michael Chan asks Commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue to declare that CSIS leaks to the media about his having influenced the replacement of an election candidate are false.

By Sam Cooper | The Bureau

Summary

OTTAWA — Michael Chan, the Deputy Mayor of Markham, is challenging leaks from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) that suggested he influenced Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s decision to replace a sitting MP in Toronto’s Don Valley North riding for the 2019 federal election. Chan has requested Marie-Josée Hogue, commissioner of the foreign interference inquiry, declare these leaks false, claiming they have perpetuated damaging rumours about him.

In a submission to the inquiry, Chan’s lawyer criticized CSIS for not publicly denying the rumours or confirming that their surveillance found no cause for concern. Describing the situation as “Kafkaesque,” the submission emphasized the negative impact of the leaks on Chan’s reputation.

The submission also references the findings of David Johnston, the Special Rapporteur on Foreign Interference, who resigned amid accusations of bias and pressure regarding his connections to Trudeau. Johnston previously stated that Liberal Party officials, not Chan, were responsible for the decision involving former MP Tan Geng, who was unable to run due to personal issues unrelated to Chan.

Additionally, Chan’s submission highlights concerns raised by Public Safety Minister Bill Blair about the potential for leaks to identify individuals under investigation who have not been accused of any crime. Blair’s office delayed the CSIS warrant for Chan for at least 54 days, prompting questions about whether this delay was politically motivated ahead of the 2021 election.

Former senior police officer Alan Treddenick noted that the lengthy delay warrants scrutiny for potential obstruction of justice and breaches of trust. Reports suggest that CSIS viewed Chan as a significant counterintelligence threat due to his connections and the potential influence on the Prime Minister’s Office.

Chan argues that credible evidence from the Commission should officially disprove the rumours about him, insisting that the public should not be misled into believing he conspired with a foreign government regarding federal elections. His submission is part of a broader inquiry into CSIS leaks and the government’s handling of the situation, with the final report from Commissioner Hogue expected in January 2025.

Read the full report at The Bureau.