The NDP is asking Canadian influencer and alleged Russian propaganda operative Lauren Chen to be reprimanded in the House of Commons for refusing to provide “the answers Canadians deserve.”
Chen, who faces charges in the United States of implicating herself and her husband in foreign influence activities, infuriated lawmakers from all parties when she refused to answer questions during an appearance before the Public Safety Committee earlier this week. I let it happen.
Disgruntled committee members then unanimously adopted a motion to send a report to the chair outlining possible privilege violations.
In a letter to the speaker on Thursday, NDP MP Alistair McGregor called for a result.
Mr McGregor said if Mr Cheng was found in contempt, she should be summoned “before the courtroom” in the House of Commons to be reprimanded and questioned by MPs.
“He allegedly received millions of dollars from the Russian government in exchange for intentionally spreading disinformation as a social media influencer with the express purpose of instilling distrust and undermining Canada’s democratic institutions.” “The shocking allegations against Mr. Cheng are of the most serious nature,” McGregor’s letter to the chairman said.
NDP MPs said they needed to answer MPs’ questions to provide “Canadians with the answers they rightfully deserve on matters of national security.”
At a Congressional committee hearing, lawmakers questioned Lauren Chen, a far-right influencer indicted in the United States for cooperating with an alleged Russian propaganda operation. Conservative MP Raquel Dancho expressed frustration at Chen’s unwillingness to answer any questions.
Public recommendations in the House of Commons were once considered an unusual measure, but they have become more frequent in recent years. This is called “brought in front of the bar” in reference to the brass rail intended to prevent strangers from entering the room.
Earlier this year, GC Strategies partner Christian Firth was arrested and dragged before the House of Commons for contempt after he refused to answer certain questions during an appearance before the House of Commons Government Operations Committee last month. . GC Strategies was the prime contractor for the controversial ArriveCan app.
By then, it had been a century since he had been ordered to appear in court to answer questions before the House of Commons.
In 2021, then-Public Health Agency of Canada Commissioner Ian Stewart appeared in the House of Commons after the Public Health Agency failed to provide documentation to a parliamentary committee regarding the dismissal of two National Microbiology Laboratory scientists. I was reprimanded. Winnipeg.
Indictment alleges Kremlin-backed disinformation campaign
In September, the U.S. Department of Justice lifted charges against two Russians for setting up a conservative media outlet as a front for promoting pro-Kremlin views, including opposition to the war in Ukraine.
Although the indictment did not name the media organization, details in the complaint made it clear that it was referring to Tenet Media, which was founded in 2023 by Chen and her husband, Liam Donovan.
A U.S. indictment alleges that two Russians, both employees of state broadcaster RT, illegally funneled nearly $10 million to a company widely reported to be Tenet as part of a disinformation campaign. I am doing it.
According to the indictment, the company in question describes itself as “a network of heretical commentators focused on Western political and cultural issues,” which matches the description word for word on Tenet Media’s homepage. . The indictment also states the company was incorporated on January 19, 2022, which matches publicly available Tennessee Secretary of State records.
According to the indictment, prosecutors believe the funds were shared with conservative Tenet media figures to covertly promote Kremlin policies.
Chen and Donovan have not been charged.
During Tuesday’s committee appearance, Chen indicated in his opening statement that he would not answer questions as he is the subject of a U.S. criminal investigation.
“Both Canada and the United States strongly respect the right to be free from self-incrimination,” she said.
Over the next 45 minutes, Chen repeated the same nine words: “For the reasons already stated, I have no comment.”
She repeated that line even when asked to confirm her name and citizenship.
