Primary Country (Mandatory)

United States

Other Country (Optional)

Set News Language for United States

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language[s] (Optional)
No other language available

Set News Language for World

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language(s) (Optional)

Set News Source for United States

Primary Source (Mandatory)
CNN
Other Source[s] (Optional)

Set News Source for World

Primary Source (Mandatory)
AajTak
Other Source(s) (Optional)
  • Countries
    • India
    • United States
    • Qatar
    • Germany
    • China
    • Canada
    • World
  • Categories
    • National
    • International
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
    • Special
    • All Categories
  • Available Languages for United States
    • English
  • All Languages
    • English
    • Hindi
    • Arabic
    • German
    • Chinese
    • French
  • Sources
    • India
      • AajTak
      • NDTV India
      • The Hindu
      • India Today
      • Zee News
      • NDTV
      • BBC
      • The Wire
      • News18
      • News 24
      • The Quint
      • ABP News
      • Zee News
      • News 24
    • United States
      • CNN
      • Fox News
      • Al Jazeera
      • CBSN
      • NY Post
      • Voice of America
      • The New York Times
      • HuffPost
      • ABC News
      • Newsy
    • Qatar
      • Al Jazeera
      • Al Arab
      • The Peninsula
      • Gulf Times
      • Al Sharq
      • Qatar Tribune
      • Al Raya
      • Lusail
    • Germany
      • DW
      • ZDF
      • ProSieben
      • RTL
      • n-tv
      • Die Welt
      • Süddeutsche Zeitung
      • Frankfurter Rundschau
    • China
      • China Daily
      • BBC
      • The New York Times
      • Voice of America
      • Beijing Daily
      • The Epoch Times
      • Ta Kung Pao
      • Xinmin Evening News
    • Canada
      • CBC
      • Radio-Canada
      • CTV
      • TVA Nouvelles
      • Le Journal de Montréal
      • Global News
      • BNN Bloomberg
      • Métro
Hisense 75 QD7 Series QLED 4K Smart TV (2024) Buy Now
Ninja Air Fryer Pro Buy Now
Superior Milford Buy Now
Carhartt Odessa Cap Buy Now
Nike Men's Club Hoodieor Nike Club Hoodieor Nike Full-Zip Hoodie Buy Now
2024 Ultrasonic Pest & Insect Repeller (6-Pack) Buy Now
KUYIGO Mens Henley T-Shirts Buy Now
Levi's Women's Mid Length Shorts Buy Now
Wide Leg Yoga Pants with Pockets Buy Now
Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells Buy Now
Men's Linen Casual Long Pants Buy Now
Kaliyadi Polarized Sunglasses for Men Buy Now
Trendy Racerback Tank Tops Buy Now
Lee Men's Regular Fit Straight Leg Jean Buy Now
OLCHEE Women’s Workout Sets 2 Piece Buy Now
BALEAF Fleece-Lined Winter Leggings Buy Now
Hisense 40-Inch Google Smart TV Buy Now
Elastic High Waisted Wide Leg Dress Pants Buy Now
LUENX Men's Polarized Aviators Buy Now
Men's Knit Cardigan Buy Now
MoreBack to News Headlines
Foreign interference is a serious threat — and it's finally getting a serious response

Foreign interference is a serious threat — and it's finally getting a serious response

CBC
Friday, September 8, 2023 12:39 AM GMT

It might seem like ancient history now, but the belated appointment of a Quebec judge on Wednesday to lead a public inquiry into foreign interference is a reminder that — for a few feverish months this spring — the question of possible tampering in the Canadian democratic process was all anyone in Ottawa wanted to talk about.

It's also a reminder that almost no one covered themselves in glory during those months.

"Our work together sends a clear signal to Canadians that democratic institutions are strong and are resilient," Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc said Thursday, noting that Justice Marie-Josée Hogue's appointment and her terms of reference had the full support of all recognized parties in the House of Commons.

Canadian democracy has been in desperate need of such a signal.

Hogue's appointment comes nearly three months after David Johnston — the former governor general chosen by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in March to look into the questions raised by a series of intelligence leaks — decided he'd had enough. 

It was Johnston's considered view that Parliament was — or should be — mature and serious enough to tackle the deeply important questions raised by this furor — questions that go to the very heart of this country's democracy and institutions. Parliament disagreed, very loudly.

Johnston argued that existing institutions — including the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians and the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency — could, along with his own contributions, bring clarity and accountability to a discussion dominated by sensational headlines and wild accusations. And it's possible that both bodies will still report back with something useful.

But Johnston ultimately was doomed by who he was (Johnston's family and the Trudeau family are at least acquainted) and what he was not (the opposition parties were unwilling to settle for anything less than a public inquiry).

After Johnston's resignation, the Liberal government was finally compelled to launch discussions with the opposition parties about an inquiry. Those negotiations apparently dragged on — perhaps in part because several individuals reportedly turned down the government's entreaties to lead such an investigation in the wake of Johnston's thrashing in the public square.

In hindsight, it's obvious the Liberals could have saved themselves, and the country, a great deal of time and trouble by launching an inquiry very soon after the first intelligence leaks and allegations appeared in media reports.

But while everyone waited for an inquiry to be launched, the headlines dried up and the opposition parties seemed only too happy to drop the issue. Maybe that was out of respect for the all-party discussions happening behind closed doors. Maybe it was because, as it turned out, voters were altogether more concerned with the cost of housing.

In the fading light of late summer, Hogue's appointment almost seems anticlimactic — and it is tempting to dismiss this spring's turmoil as a passing fad. But of course, it isn't.

Foreign interference, either real or alleged, is ultimately a test of a political system's seriousness — a test not only of the system's ability to counter and resist meddling but of the capacity of political actors to deal with suspicions, fears, threats and allegations. And the early returns from this particular episode have not flattered Canada's political system.

Justice Hogue's terms of reference are expansive and the government has committed to giving her access to any documents she seeks. Her timeline is tight but it might be just enough to get at the questions raised by the series of media reports that caused such tumult this past spring.

Read full story on CBC
Share this story on:-
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running GamePlay Run 3, the ultimate space tunnel running game with 300+ challenging levels!Adv.
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing GameTraffic Jam 3D is a game where you’ll be driving through heavy traffic.Adv.
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic GamePlay the classic 1984 light gun shooter game Duck Hunt on your browser.Adv.
More Related News
As the cost of pet meds soar, N.B. won't allow pharmacies to sell cheaper options to owners

Leslie MacLaren makes a point of giving her one year old Bernese mountain dog, Lola, lots of exercise to keep her pet happy — and healthy. 

These 3 Quebec cities will soon have stores stay open until 8 p.m. on weekends

How does being out shopping for clothes on a Saturday night sound?

Winnipeg towing company sues city for $10M over 'preferential treatment' of competitor during contract bid

A Winnipeg towing company has launched a lawsuit against the city, claiming municipal officials improperly awarded contracts to a competitor, costing the company more than $4 million in annual revenue.

Podcast by 2 Saskatoon police officers tackles trauma, addiction, burnout

It's a low-tech setting for a high-stakes conversation.

Amid new infrastructure bills, First Nations are concerned about the environment and their rights

A lawyer in British Columbia says three recent bills that aim to fast-track infrastructure and energy projects are deeply flawed and could face legal challenges. 

Red Hill Valley Parkway set to close Sunday for survey work

The Red Hill Valley Parkway (RHVP) will be closed for 12 hours Sunday to allow survey crews to complete a detailed topographic survey of the roadway, the City of Hamilton says. 

Police training for dog encounters is inadequate, say experts — but owners also bear responsibility

Police need more training on how to deal with dogs, according to those who have studied the issue — and are reacting to the recent fatal shooting of a pet pit bull by Windsor police.

Early departures: Climate change blamed as tiny Alberta bird alters its migration south

A tiny, insect-eating bird that breeds in Alberta is migrating south early, an altered departure time, which researchers say suggests that climate change has forced the species to adapt. 

50 people become citizens at Canada Day ceremony in Thunder Bay

This Canada Day was a special one for 50 people in Thunder Bay who took their citizenship oaths on the country's 158th birthday.

No summer camp? No worries. Kitchener has a free summer drop-in program at 3 parks

School is out and the sun is too!

'Truly a necessity': Charlottetown commits to adding more bus shelters over 5 years

If you're one of the thousands of people in P.E.I.'s capital region waiting out in the elements for a bus, there could be some shelter coming to your bus stop.

I can't forget Canada froze bank accounts of protesters. Now singing O Canada feels hollow

This First Person column is the experience of Gord Larson, who lives in Calgary, and is part of a Canada Day series exploring what Canada means to people across this country. For more information about First Person stories, see the FAQ.

After fighting for repairs for almost 10 years, this Halifax tenant says the system is broken

Karen Crane's top-floor apartment is neatly furnished with a breathtaking view — but her living room looks like a construction site. 

Parking Slot | Free Parking GamePlay Parking Slot, the best online 3D car driving and parking game.Adv.
Slope Ball Run - Play OnlineSlope Game takes you on an exciting journey of a ball on special paths.Adv.
New owner of Canadian North says no immediate changes planned for routes or prices

The new owner of Canadian North says there are no immediate plans to change the routes, frequency or prices of flights. 

City of Victoria pledges over $10M for public safety following violent long weekend

The City of Victoria says it will address "public disorder" in the city's downtown core through a multi-step reallocation of $10.35 million in city funds, with the largest budget item to be spent on police and bylaw enforcement.

Kamloops mayor claims a journalist assaulted him. The journalist says it was a pat on the shoulder

Kamloops, B.C., Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson has filed a police report claiming a journalist assaulted him at a local pub.

Police charge driver involved in fatal incident near Whitehorse last year

Police in Yukon have charged an American man with careless driving after an incident last fall that left a man dead in the Yukon River south of Whitehorse.

Former Hydro boss paid $880K for working 1½ months in 2024 until her ouster

The former boss of Manitoba Hydro was paid nearly $900,000 in compensation in 2024, despite only working 1½ months before her dismissal from the Crown corporation.

Live Nation 'making adjustments' at Toronto's Rogers Stadium after fan complaints

The operators of Toronto's new Rogers Stadium say they are "already making adjustments" after concertgoers voiced concerns about crowd management at the outdoor venue's inaugural show on Sunday.

Police ask for public help over 3 suspicious fires at abandoned homes in western P.E.I.

RCMP on Prince Edward Island are asking for the public's help in solving a series of suspicious fires in the western part of the province.

Public allowed back into downtown buildings after gas leak prompts evacuation

Residents and employees are being allowed back into buildings in part of downtown London after roughly eight city blocks were shut down and an evacuation order was issued more than an hour prior.

Sean (Diddy) Combs convicted on prostitution charges but cleared of more serious counts

WARNING: This story contains allegations of sexual violence and may affect those who have experienced it or know someone affected by it.

Ex-UCP MLAs reviving Alberta's Progressive Conservative Party

Two Independent MLAs expelled from the UCP are bidding to resurrect the old party brand of Peter Lougheed and Ralph Klein.

New 3D scanner is a 'game changer' for investigations, says RNC

The linoleum floor is splattered with a dark red liquid, pooling a few feet away from a beaten up couch. A few empty beer bottles lay nearby, a gun has been left on the floor and shell casings are rolling around.

Sudbury police search for suspect following intimate partner violence death

Sudbury police are searching for a man accused of murder following a call about intimate partner violence.

© 2008 - 2025 Webjosh  |  News Archive  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us