Can inquiry ‘get to the bottom’ of foreign interference? 4 in 10 say yes: poll

The public inquiry into foreign election interference has highlighted 'troubling events,' but many Canadians doubt it will get to the bottom of what happened, a new poll suggests.

The public inquiry into foreign interference has highlighted “troubling events” in the last two general elections, but many Canadians doubt the commission will fully uncover how far hostile actors – primarily China – have tried to meddle in Canadian democratic institutions, a new poll suggests.

Polling by Ipsos done exclusively for Global News found four in 10 Canadians say they trust that the inquiry will “get to the bottom of what has really been going on.”

“Canadians are skeptical that the steps that we’re taking now will lead to better outcomes, meaning less interference or no interference by foreign governments,” said Sean Simpson, senior vice-president with Ipsos Public Affairs.

“I think part of the skepticism is just a lack of credibility that the federal Liberals have overall right now. They’ve lost a lot of their political capital.”

Simpson points to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s lagging poll numbers and his initial refusal to call a public inquiry.

“We’ve been told a couple times now that there’s nothing to worry about,” Simpson said.

Last year, Trudeau appointed former governor general David Johnston to examine allegations of foreign interference in the 2019 and 2021 elections, which were first reported by Global News and the Globe and Mail.

Johnston recommended against holding a public inquiry, which set off widespread criticism from opposition members, including Conservatives Erin O’Toole and Kenny Chiu, who Canada’s spy agency warned were the targets of foreign interference attempts.