Nearly seven in ten Canadians believe that the names of MPs involved in foreign interference should be released immediately, and they should be forced to explain themselves publicly. Meanwhile, 65% think that these MPs should be criminally charged and jailed, according to a new poll.
The Nanos research, released on Monday, mirrors findings from an Angus Reid poll, which found that 69% of Canadians believe that the government should release the list of MPs suspected of collaborating with foreign governments.
The names of elected officials collaborating with foreign governments were mentioned in a report from the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians that was tabled in the House of Commons at the beginning of June. The tabled report contained numerous redactions, concealing the names of those accused of participating in foreign interference.
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has criticized the Liberals for not releasing the names of parliamentarians in the NSICOP report.
In turn, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh have attacked Poilievre for refusing to read the unredacted version, arguing that his ability to oppose the government would be compromised by reading the report.
Some leaders who read the report weren’t on the same page. Singh said that there were MPs who knowingly participated in foreign interference, while Green Party Leader Elizabeth May said of the same report that there was no list of treacherous MPs and that the media blew the allegations out of proportion.
While 68% of Canadians called for the names to be released to the public, 28% said that MPs should have the opportunity to privately defend themselves before the committee on foreign interference first.
Canadians were given the chance to select multiple options for the type of punishment elected officials should face if found guilty of interfering in Canada’s democracy on behalf of a foreign country.
Sixty-five percent of Canadians said guilty MPs should face a criminal charge and jail time. Fifty-three percent said that convicted MPs should be removed from caucus. Only 12% of Canadians said that MPs involved in foreign interference should be issued a fine with a warning. An equal 3% of Canadians said that MPs aiding foreign governments should be fired or lose their seat and not be allowed to work in political life anymore, with another 3% saying they were unsure.
Almost nine in ten, 89%, Canadians said that only residents of a riding who are Canadian citizens should be able to vote. Fewer than one in ten, 8%, of Canadians said that residents who are not citizens should be able to vote.
MPs from all parties have called on Trudeau to launch a foreign agent registry, which would mandate anyone involved in government or election influence to register their activities if they work on behalf of a foreign power.
Bill C-70 received royal assent on Jun. 20 establishing the registry.
Nanos’ poll showed that three-quarters of Canadians support the registry, compared to 72% who supported such measures in 2023. When accounting for those who support and somewhat support the registry, the number rises to 92% of Canadians, compared to 4% who oppose or somewhat oppose it, with the remainder unsure.
The number of Canadians who deemed it inappropriate to advocate for a foreign power was close to the number who believed that the names should be released, at 74%.
Meanwhile, 13% of Canadians felt that it was somewhat inappropriate for an elected MP to advocate on behalf of a foreign power, bringing the total to 87% of Canadians who think it’s somewhat inappropriate. Conversely, only 2% said it was appropriate, while 5% said it was somewhat appropriate.
True North previously asked every MP if they were implicated in foreign interference. You can view the list of replies here.