Chinese interference: RCMP investigation, but no evidence related to the elections

Despite an investigation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) into possible Chinese interference in Canadian affairs, there is no evidence that Beijing engaged in any wrongdoing in the 2019 federal election.

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This was mentioned by Commissioner Brendra Lucki in a letter sent Monday to the House of Commons committee responsible for studying possible interference by China in the 2019 vote, letter obtained by « The Globe and Mail ».

“In the context of the 2019 federal general election, the RCMP did not conduct any criminal investigation into election-related activities, as there was no evidence at the time. That said, the RCMP can confirm that it is currently investigating broader interference activities by foreign actors,” Ms. Lucki wrote in her letter.

Could ultimately “harm the conduct of international affairs, the defense of Canada or any state allied or associated with Canada”, the details of these investigations cannot be disclosed, also indicated Commissioner Lucki.

Asked about this subject during a press scrum, the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Dominic LeBlanc, indicated that they could not comment on this investigation, but he nevertheless recalled that a committee of experts had confirmed “ that in 2019 and 2021 the elections were free and democratic”.

Recall that the Commissioner of Elections refuses to reveal whether or not an investigation has been opened into possible Chinese interference in the 2019 elections.