Former Liberal and now-independent MP Han Dong (Don Valley North, ON) voted with 171 opposition MPs to demand a public inquiry into alleged Chinese Communist agents interfering in elections.. House of Commons Public Inquiry Vote .If the government refuses a public inquiry, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would be at risk of contempt of Parliament..“The evidence is mounting,” said Conservative MP Larry Brock (Brantford-Brant, ON). “Every day, we are finding new pieces to the foreign interference puzzle.”.MPs passed a motion demanding that the cabinet order a full, independent inquiry with a commissioner jointly chosen by all major parties. .READ MORE MPs vote for a public inquiry into foreign election interference.Dong was the only Liberal Party member to vote for an inquiry alongside Conservative, Bloc Québécois, New Democrat, and Green MPs. One Liberal MP, Nathaniel Erskine-Smith (Beaches-East York, ON), abstained..Dong did not comment. He abruptly quit the Liberal caucus the previous evening following a Global News report that he was in confidential, personal contact with China’s Consul in Toronto. .“The truth will protect us,” said Dong in a tearful speech. .“Our honour and our family will get through this together.”.READ MORE Liberal MP resigns over alleged contact with Chinese Communist agents.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has attempted to defer any public inquiry for months. .Trudeau on Tuesday said he was prepared to wait until May 23 for advice from his “special rapporteur” David Johnston, 81, former governor-general. .“Canadians should have confidence,” said Trudeau..On Thursday, MPs said an inquiry into Chinese interference was essential, according to Blacklock’s Reporter..“Every day, new allegations come forward about political interference that erode the public’s trust in our democracy,” said New Democrat Leader Jagmeet Singh. .“It is becoming more and more clear to the public the prime minister must have known about these allegations.”.“What should we believe?” Bloc Québécois MP René Villemure (Trois-Rivière, QC) asked the Commons. . Jagmeet Singh .“When will an independent public inquiry be held?”.In Question Period, Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc dismissed critics as partisan. .“We think what erodes the confidence of Canadians is the continued attempt by the Conservatives to seek advantage from what is a very serious national security issue,” said LeBlanc..“This is very serious and is not partisan,” replied Conservative MP Marty Morantz (Charleswood-St. James, MB). .“Shame on the member for saying so.”.The legal text of the motion passed by the Commons states “Your committee calls on the government of Canada to launch a national public inquiry into allegations of foreign interference in Canada’s democratic system, including but not limited to allegations of interference in general elections by foreign governments.”.“That this inquiry be granted all the necessary powers to call witnesses from the government and from political parties.”.“That this inquiry investigates abuse of diaspora groups by hostile foreign governments.”.“That this inquiry have the power to order and review all documents it deems necessary for this work, including documents which are related to national security.”.“That the individual heading this inquiry be selected by unanimous agreement by the House Leaders of the officially recognized parties in the House of Commons.”
