An official probe into Canada’s last two federal elections has revealed evidence of foreign interference, though the integrity of the electoral system remained intact, according to initial findings released on Friday.
The interim report, released by the Foreign Interference Commission, validates Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s previous claims that China attempted to meddle in the elections. However, the report emphasizes that these efforts did not sway the outcomes of the votes.
Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue, leading the independent public inquiry, asserted, “Acts of foreign interference did occur during the last two federal general elections, but they did not undermine the integrity of our electoral system.”
The commission, established last year under Trudeau’s government in response to concerns raised by opposition legislators, is tasked with investigating allegations of foreign interference in the 2019 and 2021 elections.
While reassuring the public about the robustness of Canada’s electoral process, Hogue acknowledged the impact of interference on the electoral procedure itself. “Nonetheless, the acts of interference that occurred are a stain on our electoral process and impacted the process leading up to the actual vote,” she stated.
The final report from the commission is expected to be released by the end of the year. Beijing has consistently denied any involvement in meddling with Canadian elections, despite the findings of the interim report.
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