Former Governor General David Johnston, who was appointed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to investigate allegations of Chinese meddling in Canadian elections, has announced his resignation from the role. This move comes after accusations of bias were raised due to his personal connections with Trudeau. Johnston’s objective as an independent special rapporteur on foreign interference was to build trust in democratic institutions, but he believes that the highly partisan atmosphere has had the opposite effect.
Resignation and Controversy
In a resignation letter to Trudeau, Johnston cited the increasing political controversy surrounding his appointment as the reason for his decision to step down. Leaders of the Conservative and Bloc Québécois parties criticized the close relationship between Trudeau and Johnston, suggesting that it compromises Johnston’s ability to judge the prime minister’s actions. Although Johnston clarified that he hasn’t had any recent personal contacts with Trudeau, opposition parties, including the NDP, expressed concerns about the appearance of bias and called for Johnston to step aside.
Reaction and Call for Public Inquiry
Following Johnston’s announcement, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc condemned the partisan attacks against Johnston and emphasized the need to rise above political considerations. However, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre blamed the Liberal government for putting Johnston in a difficult position and renewed the call for a public inquiry, accusing Trudeau of prioritizing his own reputation over defending Canada from foreign threats.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh supported Johnston’s decision to resign and reiterated the demand for a public inquiry, criticizing the government’s handling of foreign interference. Former Conservative leader Erin O’Toole also praised Johnston’s service to Canada but expressed disappointment in the prime minister’s use of Johnston’s reputation for political purposes.
The Bloc Québécois echoed the calls for a public inquiry and considered Johnston’s resignation as the only viable option in light of the controversy. Questions were also raised about individuals involved in Johnston’s investigation, including Sheila Block, a lawyer who had previously made donations to the Liberal Party. Johnston acknowledged receiving informal advice from Don Guy and Brian Topp, who have ties to the Liberal and NDP parties, respectively. Additionally, it was reported that Johnston had enlisted the services of the crisis communications firm Navigator, which later led to concerns after it was revealed that Navigator had worked with Independent MP Han Dong, who was a subject of Johnston’s investigation.
Need for Transparency and Impartiality
The controversy surrounding Johnston’s resignation highlights the need for transparency and impartiality in investigations related to foreign interference in Canadian elections. The demand for a public inquiry remains, as various parties and diaspora groups seek clarity on the risks and consequences of foreign meddling, urging the government to address these concerns effectively.