NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh sounds confused. He's run out of excuses to not pull his ‘support deal’ with the Liberals off the table. His answers fall flat for not making an opening for the election he might lose and therefore cannot afford to wage..Rapporteur David Johnson’s surprise negative recommendation concerning an inquiry into foreign interference in Canadian elections runs against the will of Canadians. Opposition parties continue to demand a full public inquiry, even after Johnston’s advice. Johnson’s blunder caused a media flurry to question his independence and personal credibility..Consequently, political attention swung to the NDP that have been giving political life to the minority Liberal government through their parliamentary deal. Incredibly Singh dismissed calls to end his party's agreement, saying confidence must be restored in the electoral process before he makes any decisions that could send Canadians into an election..Pardon me! The government Singh gave to Canada is the very cause of the political crisis of confidence. The NDP has been the enabler. They say don't trust our elections? So we better not have one until we all do — how clever. It could be years before there is confidence in the electoral system, so just hold off elections for a while; a genuine piece of cow patty..Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called on Singh to drop the NDP's support for the Liberals, to force the government to start a public inquiry into foreign political interference. The former Governor General recommended no public inquiry with investigative power, but said he will personally conduct some ‘blowing off steam’ voluntary hearings instead..Opposition parties blasted Johnston's support for the Liberals. Prime Minister Trudeau used Johnson as political cover and said the government would follow Johnston's recommendation. It is obvious the Liberals don't want the truth coming out, for they know that it will look quite bad on them. Therefore, Poilievre maintains the confidence of Canada while the prime minister only maintains the confidence of the NDP..Sadly, NDP Leader Singh says he won't force an election until confidence in the electoral system is restored. What kind of an ephemeral excuse is that? Canadians know the only prospect for renewed confidence is a federal election, where the Liberals are held to account for their dismal record of financial administration, and their failure to protect Canada from foreign interference during elections..In response to direct questioning, Singh’s wimpy diversion was, “I would question the approach of creating the conditions for an election, or triggering an election, as not serious about protecting our democracy.".However, it's past time to get serious. Poilievre said it's down to Singh to force an inquiry.."Is Jagmeet Singh going to stay in his coalition with Justin Trudeau and help him cover up this latest scandal?”.The backdrop is that the prime minister appointed Johnston as a special rapporteur to recommend options after a series of media stories sparked political controversy over Chinese government interference in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections. Johnston’s report confirmed the allegations were real. Hostile foreign governments have been targeting MPs using illegal subversive tactics, and in response only one party doesn’t want to have a public inquiry — the Liberals..The report also validated observations that government departments were doing their job by sending urgent warnings up the line. Yet at the Prime Minster’s Office and cabinet, there was no policy response or specific action other than to keep a lid on everything. It was a huge government failure either by design or by incompetence..Singh said following the release of the Johnson report his party would use all tools available to pressure the government for an inquiry and that he'd consult with the prime minister on it..Finally, Singh clarified he won’t pull out of the supply-and-confidence agreement with the Liberals. So by default, the NDP is complicit with the government cover-up..As a diversion maneuver, the NDP is proposing a motion in Parliament for Johnson to quit his temporary job. However, the scandal is not about him and his poor report. We have no inquiry, not because of Johnson, but from Trudeau. The prime minister denied access to cabinet documents and other vital materials his National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians has requested. Over the years, the government can’t point to anything they have done to protect MPs in their role from foreign interference..Johnston’s involvement in this scandal is off the topic. There are two parties impugning Parliament; the Liberals rule and the NDP enable. They've made an unhealthy agreement that demeans our Parliament. It is about a government that has failed Canadians in its most basic duty to protect Canada..Nevertheless, the NDP still has some options short of causing an election. The NDP could get a spine, and instead of working for the prime minister, they could properly cooperate with other MPs and force Trudeau to hold a full public inquiry. They could help stall all Parliamentary committee procedures. They could support dilatory proceedings in the House of Commons in cooperation with all MPs to throw down the gauntlet. No Parliamentary business until the government relents..Such a public inquiry would be led by a judge who would have the power to subpoena witnesses and call for all documents. A full process of sworn public testimony with proper cross-examination would be the path forward for the political restoration of confidence. There is no shortcut to truth, for if the pursuit of truth is the key, why not have an inquiry?.So far it appears the Liberals can’t handle the truth.
