'Not a blank cheque': LeBlanc on working with opposition on shaping foreign interference public process

Conversations are getting started between the federal government and opposition parties on what form a further public process probing foreign interference in Canada should take, following the resignation of special rapporteur David Johnston. But, those talks should not be interpreted as 'a blank cheque,' to the opposition, says Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc.

Conversations are getting started on Parliament Hill between the federal government and opposition parties on what form a further public process probing foreign interference in Canada should take, following the resignation of special rapporteur David Johnston.

But, those talks should not be interpreted as "a blank cheque," to the opposition, says Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tapped upon Johnston's departure to consult experts, legal scholars and opposition parties on "next steps."

"No responsible government is going to give a blank cheque to opposition parties on something as important as protecting the national security of Canada, the safety of Canadians," said LeBlanc in an interview on CTV News Channel's Power Play with Vassy Kapelos on Monday. 

"We're not delegating to them the responsibility of being a responsible government. What we're saying is this whole conversation would benefit from all of us lowering the partisan tone and I'm encouraged just in the last 48 hours… about our ability to try and work out exactly those questions."

In his late-breaking Friday resignation letter, Johnston suggested Trudeau forge ahead with public hearings, but pick some other "respected person, with national security experience" to do them. He advised that the prime minister would consult with opposition parties to identify "suitable candidates to lead this effort."

This work got underway over the weekend—on the sidelines of the Parliamentary Press Gallery Dinner according to LeBlanc—but with more openness that the public process could after all this time, be an inquiry, so long that it respects the need for certain intelligence to remain confidential.

"This is a sincere effort, and it's also one that's not going to be designed in any way to buy time. We're prepared to move very quickly in the next few days, next week, if we can agree amongst ourselves on the right way to proceed. Canadians would benefit very much from this exercise, and I think we can do it constructively," said LeBlanc, whose portfolio includes the democratic institutions file.