NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said he believes some MPs are “active participants” in foreign efforts to interfere in Canadian politics after reading an uncensored version of a bombshell report from one of Canada’s intelligence watchdogs.
But after a tense 30-minute exchange with reporters on Thursday, he declined to say whether he was referring to the sitting lawmaker.
Last week, the Parliamentary National Security Intelligence Committee (NSICOP), a cross-party committee of MPs and senators with the highest level of security authority, released heavily redacted documents alleging, based on intelligence, that some MPs had “semi-knowingly or knowingly” participated in foreign efforts to interfere in Canadian politics.
“After reading the document, I am more concerned than I was yesterday,” Singh told reporters on Thursday afternoon.
“I am more convinced than ever of the conclusions of the NSICOP commission and report. Some Members of Parliament are willingly participating in foreign interference in our politics, and all of the actions of these Members of Parliament are highly unethical and contrary to the oaths and affirmations that Members of Parliament take to act in Canada’s best interests.”
A party spokesman later said Singh’s remarks did not confirm or deny that the lawmakers named in the report were currently serving as lawmakers.
Singh acknowledged that the country had been the target of foreign interference but did not elaborate on the contents of the report.
Prime Minister May said she was “reassured” after reading the report.
Singh’s comments about the report were significantly different to those made by Green Party Leader Elizabeth May after reading the unredacted report earlier this week.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, May said she did not believe her MP colleagues had deliberately betrayed the country.
“I feel very comfortable sitting with my colleagues,” she said.
“Is there anyone sitting in this chamber today who would knowingly sell out Canada for personal gain? If so, there is no evidence of this in the full report.”
May said she was “reassured” to have read the report, but added that it identified worrying instances of foreign interference at different levels of government and civil society.
Green Party leader Elizabeth May told reporters after reading an uncensored version of a top-secret intelligence report on foreign interference that there was no list of disloyal MPs, ending days of speculation and growing suspicion on Parliament Hill.
May said the most troubling aspect of the NSICOP report was the case of a former MP who maintained links to a foreign intelligence officer.
“When I say it’s a relief, it doesn’t mean there’s nothing to see. It’s clear that there are threats to Canadian democracy from foreign governments,” she said.
Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet said Tuesday he had inquired about getting security clearance to view the report.
PM Singh claims report contains worrying details about Conservative Party
That would make Conservative leader Pierre Poirievre the only leader of a major party to refuse to obtain the security clearance needed to read the report.
Conservative foreign affairs commentator Michael Chong defended Poirievre’s decision after testifying before a Senate committee on Thursday.
“The leadership cannot leak this information to anyone else and therefore cannot act on it,” said the lawmaker, who has himself been a target of Beijing’s foreign interference.
“At the end of the day, if a member of the House of Commons is knowingly providing assistance to a foreign country that undermines Canada’s interests and harms Canadians, that individual needs to be held accountable – not a decision for the leader to expel them.”
A redacted NSICOP report found that foreign powers from India and the People’s Republic of China interfered in the Conservative Party of Canada’s leadership elections on multiple occasions.
The published report does not provide further details about the nature of the alleged interference, or say which Conservative leadership races were allegedly targeted or when.
Singh said Poirievre did not want to read the report, which contained “serious allegations affecting his party.”
“To me, that means he has failed as a leader. I don’t believe his false excuses,” he said.
“It’s clear that both Justin Trudeau and Pierre Poirievre want to protect their parties more than they want to protect the country.”
The NSICOP report called the Liberal government’s response to known threats of foreign interference “a serious failure, the consequences of which Canada may suffer for years to come.”
“The prime minister has received information which raises concerns that members of parliament may be knowingly benefiting from foreign interference,” Singh said.
“He may not agree with the information, but I don’t think he’s taken the steps necessary to address this issue.”