Canada: NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh on David Johnston ruling out foreign interference inquiry – May 23, 2023

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh holds a news conference in Nanaimo, B.C., to discuss the cost of living and the release of David Johnston’s first report on foreign interference. The former governor general is not recommending an independent public inquiry into alleged foreign interference, but says public hearings on serious governance and policy issues will be held as part of the second phase of his mandate. All Opposition parties have called for an independent public inquiry. Johnston was appointed to the position of independent special rapporteur on foreign interference in March, following a series of media reports alleging Chinese meddling in the 2019 and 2021 Canadian federal elections. Singh is joined by NDP MP Lisa Marie Barron (Nanaimo–Ladysmith).