Thoughts on BC Politics and More

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and a handful of cabinet ministers will take questions today about what they were told about — and how they responded to — allegations of foreign interference in the past two federal elections. The commission will hear from Government House Leader Karina Gould, who is on maternity leave, Defence Minister Bill Blair and Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc during the first half of the day. Trudeau is expected to start testifying around mid-afternoon .... CLICK HERE for the full story

After months of deliberations, the federal government will be launching a public inquiry into foreign interference, and have found a judge to lead it, CTV News has confirmed.   According to government sources, Quebec Court of Appeal Justice Marie-Josée Hogue will lead the probe, which will look beyond China to other foreign meddling.   Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc is expected to make the announcement about the terms and timeline for the inquiry on Thursday, when he speaks publicly at 11:30 a.m.   CLICK HERE for the full story  

  Months after the Liberal government offered opposition leaders the opportunity to view classified intelligence related to former special rapporteur David Johnston's report on alleged China-backed meddling in Canadian politics, a dispute is brewing over what was promised — and what was actually delivered.   Green Party Co-Leader Elizabeth May expressed frustration last week with the level of information provided to her in the classified documents and said she was requesting access to additional materials.   Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc said Friday the information May saw was what she and other opposition leaders were promised ...   CLICK HERE to read the full story

  Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc says his government is in talks with sitting judges about leading a public inquiry into Chinese election interference — but gave no hint if they're close to selecting a point person.    "It is a sensitive issue when the Government of Canada, with the full support of the recognized parties in the House of Commons, is talking to, in some cases, sitting judges," he told reporters Tuesday morning at the cabinet retreat in Charlottetown.   "We all hoped that this might have been concluded in a final way earlier. But the good news is we're continuing to do the work necessary and optimistic about getting to the right place."   LeBlanc said he's even turned to the country's highest court for advice. The minister said he has sought suggestions from Richard Wagner, chief justice of the Supreme Court, and has had two constructive conversations with him on how to move forward.    Earlier this summer, ...