Canada This Week - April 29-May 3
Expect the first report of from the Foreign Interference public inquiry this week.
Here is what to expect in Canadian Politics this week:
Foreign Interference Inquiry First Report: Public inquiry commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue has until Friday (May 3) to release her first report on the Foreign Interference hearings' first stage. This includes reporting on the testimony provided by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on April 10th. During his testimony, Trudeau addressed the issue of whether Han Dong, a Liberal MP, had been aware of alleged Chinese interference in his election. Trudeau stated that the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) had not provided clear information about Dong's awareness of the interference plans, which reportedly included mobilizing buses to support his nomination in the 2019 federal election. This marked the first time Trudeau had discussed being briefed on these specific allegations during the election campaign. Trudeau emphasized the challenges in obtaining clear and sufficient intelligence from CSIS that would warrant taking specific actions against individuals like Dong based on alleged foreign interference. He also touched upon the broader implications of foreign interference and the importance of the ongoing inquiry in addressing these issues for the future security of Canadian democratic processes (CPAC.ca) (Global News). Following the testimony, Pierre Poilievre’s Conservative party expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the intelligence provided by CSIS and the government's handling of the allegations. Poilievre questioned Trudeau's leadership and the Liberal government's transparency in dealing with the interference claims, suggesting that Trudeau's actions and responses were inadequate in addressing the foreign threats identified during the elections. The Conservatives also maintain that the Liberals are attempting to mitigate political blowback through the obstruction of a full investigation into interference claims. The public hearings are already delayed by two months with the potential for further delays when hearings continue in the fall. Look for the Liberals to continue to stall and drag this process out to mitigate any political implications. Expect the Conservatives to continue to push that Trudeau failed to protect the Canadian democratic process and the need for transparency through a full investigation is necessary.
Trudeau to Blame for Failing Justice System This weekend the Toronto Star published an explosive report which outlined failures in the justice system due to the lack of judges to try cases in Toronto. The Star reported that since December, seven high-profile cases in Toronto have been tossed due to court delays caused by a lack of judges, a responsibility which falls under the jurisdiction of the federal government. The cases that have been tossed include; two cases of child sexual abuse, two cases of human trafficking, gun trafficking, assault, and sexual assault. Trudeau’s justice department maintains that it has elevated over “100 entirely new judicial positions across the country over the years”. Yet the reality remains that across Canada a shortage of judges is causing the system to fail and leading to a lack of justice for serious crimes. The Star reporting indicates that the Prime Minister’s Office has a direct hand in selecting judges and may be the reason for the delays due to the intention of the Prime Minister to appoint and elevate judges through an equity and diversity lens. The Star also points out that other considerations from the PMO may include an individual’s history of political donations although this accusation is much more difficult to prove in part due to the lack of transparency in the appointment process. The Conservative Party of Canada has voiced significant concerns about the ongoing judge shortage across the country. They have criticized the Liberal government for failing to address this issue adequately, emphasizing the judicial delays and their impact on the justice system. Their critique is part of a broader condemnation of what they perceive as inefficiencies and neglect within the current government's administration of justice.
Poilievre Cruising The Conservatives have opened up a greater than 20-point lead in the polls over the Liberals. The lack of a post-budget popularity bump has many within the federal Liberal Party concerned. Politico Ottawa Playbook confirms that former Governor of the Bank of Canada Mark Carney is a “rumored leadership aspirant”. With Pierre Poilievre continuing his ascension in the polls alongside achieving strong fundraising results, will the Liberal Party move to push Justin Trudeau out before the next election?
