Quebec judge chosen by Liberals to head investigation into foreign interference: sources

The Canadian federal government has chosen Quebec Court of Appeal Justice Marie-Josée Hogue to lead a public inquiry into allegations of foreign interference in the country’s affairs. This decision, as confirmed by two anonymous government sources, is expected to be officially announced by Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who also oversees democratic institutions. The demand for a public inquiry has been ongoing for months, with opposition parties criticizing the Liberals for their handling of foreign state attempts, particularly from China, to influence Canada’s affairs. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has addressed these concerns by initiating this inquiry.

The Liberals had initially appointed former governor general David Johnston as a special rapporteur to investigate the issue of foreign interference. They had pledged to abide by his recommendations, including the possibility of a public inquiry.

However, Johnston advised against conducting an inquiry. He argued that the limitations imposed by national security concerns would prevent the disclosure of crucial details, thereby failing to provide Canadians with the answers they sought. Subsequently, Johnston resigned from his role as special rapporteur, citing the highly partisan nature of the situation.

This report by The Canadian Press was originally published on September 7, 2023.