David Johnston, the federal government’s independent special rapporteur on foreign interference, holds a news conference on Parliament Hill for the release of his first report. He is not recommending an independent public inquiry into alleged foreign interference, but announces public hearings on serious governance and policy issues will be held as part of the second phase of his mandate. All Opposition parties have called for an independent public inquiry. The former governor general was appointed to his special rapporteur position in March, following a series of media reports alleging Chinese interference in the 2019 and 2021 Canadian federal elections. He is expected to issue his final report by October 31, 2023. (May 23, 2023)
