The commission investigating allegations of foreign interference in the 2019 and 2021 elections will allow opposition parties to question witnesses as it moves to its next stage later this month.
The Conservative Party, the New Democratic Party, the Bloc Quebecois and former Conservative Party leader Erin O’Toole will be granted additional rights if they wish, according to a letter from the commission’s chief legal adviser, Shantona Chaudhry. CBC News obtained a copy of the letter. The news was first reported by the Globe and Mail.
All four were initially granted intervention status only by Commissioner Marie-Josée Hoag.
Intervenors are people or groups that Hogue judges to have a general interest in the issue, but not to the same extent as people with a complete position. Intervenors have the right to make written submissions, but in most cases cannot cross-examine witnesses or inspect evidence in advance. At the time, Hogue indicated he might make an exception.
In addition to cross-examination powers, the letter says all four will have access to certain documents, but Chaudhry said this does not include classified documents.
“The committee does not have the authority to disclose confidential information,” she wrote.
The inquiry announced on Monday that the next phase of the investigation will run from March 27 to April 10. At this stage, the commission will look more deeply into whether China, Russia or others interfered in Canada’s last two federal elections.
Mr Chaudhry said in his letter that Mr Hogue “believes it is now appropriate” to grant additional rights to the opposition and Mr O’Toole as the next stage begins. They have until Friday to decide whether to accept the additional rights.
Initially, both parties were given only intervener status, but Conservative MP Michael Chong and National Democratic Party MP Jenny Kwan were given full status. Both have spoken publicly about being informed that they were targets of foreign interference by the Chinese government.
The inquiry (officially known as the “Official Commission of Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Election Processes and Democratic Institutions”) cited anonymous security sources and classified documents to find that China It was sparked by media reports last year accusing it of interfering in the 2018 federal election.
In January, Hogue and her legal team heard arguments about what information could be released.
Hogue said she has since been told by the government behind closed doors that she needs to hear some evidence.
In a February statement, he said the government has a responsibility to persuade research participants and the public that disclosing such evidence could jeopardize national security.
If Hogue and his attorney are not persuaded, he said he will request evidence at a hearing.
Hogue has until May 3 to complete an interim report on her findings.
