Trudeau won’t investigate foreign interference because it benefits him

By Cosmin Dzsurdzsa

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre accused Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of wanting to avoid a public inquiry into claims that China interfered in Canada’s elections because he benefits from Beijing’s meddling.

Poilievre made the comments during a press conference on Monday regarding the Liberals’ cabinet retreat in Prince Edward Island.

In response to a question about a lack of a consensus on a foreign election interference inquiry, Poilievre claimed that Trudeau “benefited from (interference) twice.”

“I’ve made my suggestions and I’m now waiting for him,” Poilievre told reporters.“You almost wonder if Trudeau doesn’t want the truth to come out about Beijing’s interference in our democracy before the next election so that he can allow that interference to happen all over again. He benefited from it twice.”

Poilievre went on to say Trudeau was “blocking the inquiry.”

“He didn’t introduce a foreign influence registry to identify those paid agents who work for foreign dictators to manipulate our politics,” Poilievre said. “It seems to me Trudeau is fine to allow the foreign influence to continue as long as it benefits him.”

The Conservatives have led calls for the federal government to immediately announce a sweeping public inquiry into reports that China has interfered in Canada’s last few elections.