The foreign interference inquiry released its long-awaited final report, concluding there was no evidence that anybody “acted in bad faith”.
Commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue, who was selected to head the Foreign Interference Commission, released her final report on Tuesday following 18 months of work. This report follows a preliminary report published in May 2024.
The initial report concluded that foreign governments attempted to influence Canadian candidates and voters during elections but that the validity of the 2019 and 2021 elections was not in question. Hogue said that the Commission’s work since tabling the initial report has done nothing but reinforce these initial conclusions.
Speaking at a press conference following the report’s release, Hogue said that while the outcomes of the two previous elections were not affected by foreign interference, there is a possibility that some ridings were affected in a small way during the riding’s nomination contests and general elections.
“I have no evidence to suggest that anyone acted in bad faith,” reads the report. “The shortcomings observed appear to have been systemic ones, the consequences of which were exacerbated by various external factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, which required a significant reorganization of work.”
A previous parliamentary report highlighted that some elected Canadian officials were either wittingly or unwittingly assisting foreign state actors to engage in political interference, most notably on behalf of China and India. Hogue was appointed by the Liberal government to investigate the assertions made.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau previously lashed out at Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre for not reading the report.
“The decision of the leader of the Conservative Party not to get those classified briefings means that nobody in his party, not him and nobody in a position of power, knows the names of these individuals and can take appropriate action,” said Trudeau.
However, in her findings, Hogue insisted there were no individuals named in the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians briefing.
“From the outset, I would like to dispel the notion that the classified NSICOP Report contains a list of names of parliamentarians who are suspected of working in the interests of a foreign state. The classified NSICOP Report does not name individual parliamentarians,” said Hogue.
She insisted that the consternation resulting from the report was unwarranted.
“The situation is perhaps not as clear-cut, nor as extreme, as the fears provoked by the NSICOP Report would suggest,” said Hogue.
For example, according to Hogue, the evidence suggesting the “witting” participation of MPs in foreign interference was a more definitive statement than the evidence could support. She added that some of the findings contained inaccuracies.
“While some conduct may be concerning, I did not see evidence of ‘traitors’ in Parliament,” said Hogue.
The government has communicated about foreign interference very poorly, according to Hogue, exemplified NSICOP report. Canadians generally learned about foreign interference revealed in the NSICOP report through the media, which she said should not be the case.
Even still, Hogue said that if the government is fighting foreign interference alone, they will lose.
“One of our society’s greatest achievements is to have created a political and social order that gives us the freedom to choose those who will represent us in government. The right to contribute to discussions about our future and the chance to live in peace with one another,” said Hogue. “But protecting these achievements requires that all of society, including each and every one of us, contribute particularly to the war against mis- and disinformation.”
The final report contained 51 recommendations Hogue believes can and should be implemented quickly, even before the next election. The 31st recommendation offers eight things the government should implement, one of which is that only Canadian citizens and permanent residents should be allowed to vote in nomination and leadership contests.