Governor-General's symposium promoted Bill C63

Canada's Governor-General is officially non-partisan and apolitical, but hosted a symposium where Liberal cabinet minister Arif Virani promoted his Online Harms Bill C-63 to a selected group of influencers. 

‘NON-PARTISAN, APOLITICAL’: Governor General hosts event in support of Online Harms bill | Western Standard | Jen Hodgson:

April 16, 2024 - "Governor General Mary Simon’s office insists she is 'non-partisan and apolitical' after she personally hosted a symposium in support of the Trudeau Liberals' Online Harms bill. The guest list was limited to Attorney General Arif Virani and supporters of internet regulation, according to Blacklock’s Reporter. No opposition members or critics of Bill C-63: An Act To Enact The Online Harms Act were invited.... 

Read thread on X.

"Simon’s office would not disclose the names of all invitees or explain why others were excluded from the April 11 event. Nor did Rideau Hall justify the pro-government event. 

"Further, it refused to release any video or audio recordings of the conference or a transcript of speakers’ remarks. 

"Some guests did include former CTV News anchor Lisa LaFlamme, Le Devoir columnist Emilie Nicolas, former Global News reporter Rachel Gilmore, Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam, gender activist Fae Johnstone and Ottawa school trustee Nili Kaplan-Myrth....

"Simon supported the bill publicly on her social media as well. 'Let’s transform these conversations into action,' the governor general posted to Twitter ('X'). 'Help us create a safer online world.' Virani on social media confirmed Simon’s private conference was intended to support Bill C-63. 'We know online harms have real world consequences,' Virani wrote. 'With industry experts at the Governor General’s symposium we discussed this and our Online Harms Act.'

"Bill C-63 would require that Facebook, YouTube and other social media platforms 'mitigate the risk that users will be exposed to harmful comment' with compliance monitored by a five-member Digital Safety Commission. The bill would also appoint a federal ombudsman to 'provide support to users of social media services.” The proposal follows a failed 2021 measure C-36 An Act To Amend The Criminal Code that went further in granting a 'digital safety commissioner' powers to block websites containing legal content deemed hurtful. Hate speech is already prohibited under 1970 amendments to the Criminal Code."
Read more: https://www.westernstandard.news/news/non-partisan-apolitical-governor-general-hosts-event-in-support-of-online-harms-bill/53842

The Governor General deserves better, but we deserve impartiality  | Macdonald-Laurier Institute | Philippe Lagassé for Inside Policy:

April 16, 2024 - "As well-intentioned as the Governor General’s symposium was, she should never have hosted it in this context, a conclusion that’s reinforced by the Minister of Justice publicly tying the event to bill C-63. As soon as the government tabled the bill, Her Excellency should have understood that the symposium was no longer appropriate and would present a risk to her office’s impartiality.... As the King’s vice-regal representative, the Governor General performs core constitutional functions. These demand that the Governor General not only act impartially but be perceived to be impartial. This isn’t just good form, it’s a fundamental part of the job....

"Turning back to the symposium, it’s important to clarify why it undermined her impartiality, or at least perceptions of it.... A full-on violation of constitutional norms isn’t the standard here. Instead, we should be asking why the Minister of Justice was even there, and why the Governor General decided to host the symposium, considering how contentious Bill C-63 has been already. Hosting the event allowed Her Excellency to get pulled into the partisan fray, a predictable outcome that she shouldn’t have risked.

"Those who participated in the symposium will counter that it was the Minister of Justice who made the connection with Bill C-63, not the Governor General. Her Excellency’s motives, and the importance of the cause addressed by the symposium, shouldn’t be impugned by a careless, partisan tweet. Alas, partisans are going to partisan and politicians are going to politick. This is precisely why vice-regal representatives should avoid wading into politically charged topics.... Defenders of the symposium offer another argument: as the sovereign’s representative, the Governor General should address important social problems that affect Canadians.... This is a fair point, though Governors General need to be careful about what causes they take up.... Anything that’s the subject of notable partisan and parliamentary debate, is ideologically fraught, or might be fought over during an election should raise red flags.

"Thankfully for the Governor General, the controversy surrounding her symposium hasn’t extended beyond the Ottawa bubble yet. She should keep it that way by abandoning her 'We Deserve Better' campaign while partisans battle it out over Bill C-63 and the courts review the Online Harms Act if it becomes law. This isn’t because the Governor General doesn’t deserve better; she does, as do all those who suffer online abuse. It’s because Canadians deserve impartiality from the Governor General, both real and perceived."

Philippe Lagassé is an associate professor at Carleton University. He’s the co-editor of Canada and the Crown: Essays on Constitutional Monarchy (2014) and The Crown and Parliament (2015).
Read more: https://macdonaldlaurier.ca/the-governor-general-deserves-better-but-we-deserve-impartiality-philippe-lagasse-for-inside-policy/

Trudeau's special rapporteur resigns

"When I undertook the task of independent special rapporteur on foreign interference, my objective was to help build trust in our democratic institutions," David Johnston writes in his resignation letter to Canadian PM Justin Trudeau. "I have concluded that, given the highly partisan atmosphere around my appointment and work, my leadership has had the opposite effect."

David Johnston resigns as “special rapporteur” on Chinese election interference | True North - Andrew Kozak

June 9, 2023 - "Former governor general David Johnston resigned as the Trudeau government’s controversial 'special rapporteur' on Chinese election interference late Friday. Citing a 'highly partisan atmosphere,' Johnston admitted that his role did not help build trust in Canada’s democratic institutions.

"'I have concluded that, given the highly partisan atmosphere around my appointment and work, my leadership has had the opposite effect. I am therefore tendering my resignation, effective no later than the end June 2023, or as soon as I deliver a brief final report, which I hope to be earlier,' Johnston wrote in his resignation letter.

"The former governor general urged Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to appoint someone with a national security background to continue the role. 'I encourage you to appoint a respected person, with national security experience, to complete the work that I recommended in my first report. Ideally you would consult with opposition parties to identify suitable candidates to lead this effort,' Johnston wrote.

"Johnston’s resignation comes as opposition parties criticized his relationship with the Trudeau family and his role as a board member of the Trudeau Foundation, which he resigned from prior to his appointment.

"In May, Johnston tabled his first report which concluded that a public inquiry was not needed to look into allegations of foreign interference in Canada’s elections. Opposition parties have voted on three separate occasions for a public inquiry. Johnston’s report did not acknowledge China’s attempts to intimidate former Conservative leader Erin O’Toole, Conservative MP Michael Chong and NDP MP Jenny Kwan. 

"Following Johnston’s resignation, the leaders of all opposition parties immediately called on Trudeau to set up a public inquiry. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre also accused Trudeau of ruining the 'reputation of a former Governor General all to cover up his own refusal to defend Canada from foreign interests and threats'.... Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc issued a statement Friday accusing Poilievre of driving Johnston out of his job, citing his 'partisan attacks.'"

Read more: https://tnc.news/2023/06/09/david-johnston-resigns/

David Johnston resigns as special rapporteur on election interference | CBC News The National | June 9, 2023:

How to properly investigate foreign interference

The Johnston Report was inadequate. Here’s how to properly investigate foreign interference in Canada | The Hub - Thomas Jarmyn: 

May 31, 2023 - "In light of the NDP motion that calls on David Johnston to step down in his role as special rapporteur on foreign interference, there are growing questions about what an alternative process might look like, including the scope, mandate, and possible commissioners. My answers to these questions are based upon military experience, almost thirty years as a lawyer, three years as counsel to the minister of public safety responsible for national security matters, and three and a half years as head of an administrative tribunal.

""Mr. Johnston’s initial report ... appears to have been prepared based upon documents and briefings that were proffered by the government and its agencies. The report does not appear to have been based upon an investigatory or inquisitorial model. Rather it seems that Mr. Johnston consumed the information that was offered on the government’s menu. Striking as well is that neither Mr. Johnston nor his Counsel, Sheila Block, have any considerable experience in national security matters nor experience in government handling national security files. The effect of this is a willingness to take at face-value assertions regarding the handling and dissemination of intelligence.... Without the power of subpoena and the ability to compel documents, he was left to rely upon what was given to him. There is no assurance he received the full picture. In fact, from the absence of discussions with the Elections Commissioner or the RCMP, it is apparent that he did not.

"What would a better solution have been? Any solution must address two issues of concern:

• What foreign interference has taken place and what are its impacts?
• What should Canada do about it?

"Those questions need not be answered in the same venue. Answering the first question would require investigation into the operations of several agencies. It is also the question that is most likely to require consideration of intelligence information. Consideration of how Canada should respond to foreign interference operations is going to be less about intelligence and more about hard choices that have to be made. Canada’s response will affect diaspora communities, have economic impacts, affect public funding of research, and how political parties operate (to name a few of the issues). However, both questions may be addressed under the Inquiries Act. 

"The first step would be to appoint a commissioner to conduct a departmental investigation under s. 6 of the Inquiries Act ... to assess the scope of foreign interference in Canadian governance.... The ideal commissioner would be a current or retired judge of the Federal Court of Canada who has experience in proceedings related to national security.... The commissioner would be entitled to counsel in the matter.... The benefit of appointing someone in this manner is that the commissioner has broad powers under ss. 7 to 10 to obtain evidence. The commissioner could compel witnesses to appear; a witness who lies subject to perjury proceedings; and a person under summons who fails to appear is committing a summary offence. The commissioner also has the right of entry into any premises and to compel production of any document necessary to fulfill the mandate.

"The commissioner would be mandated to author a report setting out the nature of foreign interference in Canada. There would be both a public and classified version of that report. The report would also include recommendations to improve governmental response to foreign interference. The expectation would be to have the report written within six months of commencement.

"The second stage would be to appoint a Public Inquiry under s. 2 of the Inquiries Act. Expertise in the matter of national security is not as critical here.... The question to be answered by the s. 2 inquiry would be 'How should Canada respond to foreign interference efforts?' The inquiry would have access to both the public and classified versions of the departmental inquiry.... [T]he public inquiry would be less a matter of past intelligence and more a weighing of consequences of choices. The inquiry would hear from non-government actors.... It would seek feedback regarding the consequences of proposed responses and evaluate responses against the history of foreign interference in our society. Finally, it would make recommendations regarding responses, both legislative and policy, to address the problem of foreign interference.

"Some will ask 'How is this process different from the one put in place by the present government?' Run by someone with experience in the national security field and the power to follow the documents and information rather than relying upon what is given to him by the government, this process is far more likely to arrive at the truth. The power to compel evidence will protect witnesses and whistleblowers from allegations they have breached the Security of Information Act as well as protect them from spurious defamation suits designed to intimidate witnesses. This two-stage process has the advantage of gathering all of the information necessary to define the problem of foreign interference in Canada."

Read more: https://thehub.ca/2023-05-31/thomas-jarmyn-the-johnston-report-was-inadequate-heres-how-to-properly-investigate-foreign-interference-in-canada/?twclid=2-69yeqv3arez546u8246yyquhl

Tom Mulcair critical of David Johnston's recommendation: "It doesn't wash" with Canadians | CTV News | May 25, 2023:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XliVgf34qM

Commons votes no confidence in rapporteur

Canada's House of Commons has voted for Justin Trudeau's special rapporteur investigating foreign interference in Canadian elections to resign and for a public inquiry to be held. The rapporteur has refused, saying that his "mandate comes from the government" not Parliament. 

David Johnston plans to stay on as special rapporteur after Commons votes for him to step aside | CBC News - Stephanie Taylor & Mia Rabson, Canadian Press:

May 31, 2023 - "After members of Parliament voted in favour of his ouster Wednesday, David Johnston said his mandate to probe allegations of foreign interference comes from the government — not from the House of Commons. The former governor general released a statement following the vote on a motion brought forward by the NDP, which the Conservatives and Bloc Quebecois supported while the Liberals stood opposed. It passed 174 to 150.

"It called on Johnston — tasked by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau back in March with looking into allegations that China tried to meddle in the past two federal elections — to 'step aside from his role.' It asked the government to instead launch a public inquiry into the issue of foreign interference. Johnston, the former governor general, recommended against such an inquiry in his initial report last week.

"'When I accepted the mandate to act as independent special rapporteur, I did so with full knowledge of the fact that the work ahead would be neither straightforward nor uncontroversial,' Johnston said in his statement. 'I deeply respect the right of the House of Commons to express its opinion about my work going forward, but my mandate comes [from] the government'.... 

"Trudeau said earlier in the day he still had confidence in Johnston, despite the stance of opposition MPs. Opposition parties initially decried his appointment because of Johnston's family connections to the prime minister's family and the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation. Trudeau brushed off those concerns, telling reporters that he views the matter as political parties wanting to score 'partisan points'....'David Johnston has served this country in extraordinary capacities for decades,' Trudeau said Wednesday on his way into a meeting with his Liberal caucus....

"Johnston said in his report that due to the sensitive nature of national security and the intelligence he studied, there would be no way to divulge the information Canadians are seeking publicly. He said that would defeat the purpose of a public inquiry.... He said what he plans to do instead is hold a series of public hearings to further probe the issue. Those hearings would focus on hearing from officials of both past and current governments, as well as members of diaspora communities affected by foreign interference attempts....

"The motion was brought forward by NDP [MP] Jenny Kwan. She recently told reporters that the Canadian Security Intelligence Service informed her she has been a target of China since before the 2019 federal vote, because of her advocacy on human rights in China....

""Speaking to reporters last week, Johnston also defended his work, saying this has been the first time his impartiality has been questioned, which he finds 'troubling.' He has said his 'friendship' with the prime minister is rooted only in the five or so times their families went skiing together decades ago."

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/house-passes-motion-david-johnston-step-down-1.6861009

House passes NDP motion calling for special rapporteur's resignation | CPAC |  June 1, 2023:

Trudeau's special rapporteur insulted intelligence community, says ex-spy

CEO of Canadian risk consulting company with 30 years' experience in intelligence calls special rapporteur David Johnston's comments on Canada's intelligence community insulting and unfair. 

David Johnston owes Canada's spies an apology | Ottawa Citizen - Phil Gurski:

May 26, 2023 - "I spent more than 30 years with Canada’s two intelligence services, the Communications Security Establishment (CSE) and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS). I worked in collection, cryptanalysis, translation, analysis and distribution.... I know how intelligence is produced and how it is marketed, and a bit on how it can help decision-makers be better informed. In short, I know that intelligence has a purpose and makes a difference. 

"You wouldn’t know that from former governor general David Johnston’s report on Chinese interference in our democratic process. While I imagine not many were surprised at how little he criticized the government of Justin Trudeau, Canadians should be told that his scathing words on our intelligence agencies were inaccurate, unfair and, frankly, insulting. Johnston says he met with the heads of CSE and CSIS.... In that, he is one fortunate Canadian, as he had access to information few would ever get. And yet, based on what I read in his 59-page report, he either didn’t listen or he failed to understand what he was being told.

"Johnston suggests — no, he boldly states — that our spies are getting the sharing of intelligence all wrong. He says that the distribution of intelligence is broken and puts the blame squarely on the backs of the agencies that produce it (and not on those who receive it as customers). Furthermore, he notes that intelligence is 'piecemeal' and hence of little value as it rarely provides the 'whole picture'....” Lastly, he accused the person who leaked CSIS reports to Canadian media on China’s election interference of having 'malicious' intent....

"For the reader’s (and apparently Johnston’s) sake, here is a primer on how intelligence works: Raw data is collected from a variety of sources (human, intercept, imagery, allies, etc.), processed, analyzed, corroborated across multiple sources wherever possible, summarized, put into a nice, small package (on average two to three pages maximum) and delivered to officials with the requisite security clearance. This distribution is often carried out by dedicated CSE/CSIS staff who are posted within the very buildings where clients such as senior government officials work, to insure personalized service and to be on hand to answer any questions, or pass feedback or requests for more intelligence along to headquarters. 

"The product is often left with clients; they have the liberty to share it with others who have equal security clearances. (Whether or not they do is not a CSE/CSIS issue.) If an official in a given department decides that intelligence is not worth passing on (or that it inconveniently goes against entrenched policy) to those higher up the chain — including the prime minister — how can the fault for a lack of awareness be placed at the feet of the creators of the product? The intelligence bodies have done their job....

"[N]o one in intelligence is so arrogant as to believe that our product is the be-all and end-all of information that on its own can decide matters (although I have seen where it actually did that). We realize that there are other considerations but hope that the intelligence gathered is at least part of the calculation. It seems clear to me that the intel on China was almost completely ignored — for decades — by a number of federal governments.

"On the alleged reasons for the leak (note: I do not support leaks, on principle), I wonder how Johnston knows the individual responsible had evil intent. It strikes me that this unknown person may be a very frustrated public servant who is sick and tired of having decades of solid information ignored and took it upon him/herself to let Canadians know what this government (and previous ones) was (not) doing.  How is that 'malice'?

"Those of us who worked, or are still toiling, in intelligence go to the office every day with one purpose only: to get the best data possible from sensitive sources and share that with senior officials to keep them informed. We do not expect everything we do to make a crucial difference but we do expect our customers to recognize our expertise and our commitment to Canada. To have our reputations sullied by people who have no background in the business is not fair.

"Phil Gurski is president and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting."

Read more: https://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/gurski-david-johnston-owes-canadas-spies-an-apology

Was David Johnston the right person for special rapporteur job? | CBC News | May 26, 2023:

Trudeau's special rapporteur rules out public inquiry into election interference

Canadian special rapporteur rules out inquiry into Chinese interference claims | The Guardian - Leyland Cecco:

May 23, 2023 - "An official named to investigate allegations that China attempted to subvert Canadian elections has announced he will not launch a public inquiry, prompting frustration from critics who say the decision only furthers Beijing’s interests. Special rapporteur David Johnston on Tuesday released a 55-page report on foreign interference in Canadian institutions, warning that subversive efforts represented an 'increasing threat' to democracy.

"But Johnston said he did [not] believe a public inquiry would be helpful because much of the relevant material needed to conduct the inquiry would remain secret. He said calling a public inquiry would be an 'easy choice, it would not be the correct one'. Instead, he called for public hearings to examine foreign interference and to help the public better understand the threats it poses to institutions.

"Johnston, a former governor general, was appointed by Justin Trudeau in March to investigate reports that the Chinese government attempted to meddle in two federal elections. In his report, Johnston said he saw no evidence Trudeau ignored previous intelligence briefings on Chinese influence operations, including threats against the Conservative lawmaker Michael Chong....

"Trudeau said he would adhere to Johnston’s recommendations and refrain from calling a public inquiry, amid mounting political pressure from opposition leaders. The Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre, criticized Johnston’s conclusions, calling him the prime minister’s 'ski buddy' and 'family friend' and suggesting conflicts of interest prevented the official from genuinely investigating Chinese efforts to tamper with Canadian elections.... All opposition parties have called for a public inquiry into foreign election interference.... The New Democratic party leader, Jagmeet Singh, said he respected Johnston but was 'disappointed' by the decision not to pursue a public inquiry....

"Johnston also critiqued internal leaks within the intelligence community, saying they were 'destructive and dangerous' and that the leakers needed to be caught. 'I recognize that absent the leaks, I would not have been appointed to undertake the work. However, that does not justify the leaks, which risk great harm to the Canadian interest.'

"Johnston also criticized a media report that alleged former Liberal lawmaker Han Dong advised China to delay releasing Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor. 'The allegation is false,' wrote Johnston, adding there was no evidence China gave $250,000 to 11 political candidates, also alleged by Global News. The news outlet is currently facing a lawsuit from Dong over the allegations.

"For communities affected by China’s influence and coercion in Canada, the decision came as a disappointment. Mehmet Toti, head of the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project, wrote in a tweet that Johnston’s rejection of public inquiry was 'stunning and absolutely, shockingly disappointing' and only helped China. 'This is not a good day for Canadian democracy,' he wrote.

"Johnston’s decision to not call a public inquiry surprised some analysts, especially since Johnston himself said he believed a public inquiry would be necessary when he was appointed by Trudeau. 'But my conclusion is that, in light of the material and information that would lie at the heart of any inquiry, it could not be done in public,' Johnston wrote. 'Now that I have reviewed [the files] I understand why it is treated so sensitively: foreign adversaries would readily discern sources and methods from this information. It could endanger people.'"

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/may/23/canada-china-allegations-election-interference-inquiry-david-johnston

Special rapporteur David Johnston advises against holding public inquiry into foreign interference | CPAC | May 23, 2023:

Trudeau Foundation investigating $200K donation with 'potential connection' to Chinese government

The Canadian government-funded Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation is investigating a controversial donation from a businessman with ties to the Chinese government, following the mass resignation of the foundation's CEO and board of directors.

Controversial Trudeau Foundation donation from Beijing-linked businessman was not reimbursed | CBC News - Peter Zimonjic:

April 12, 2023 - "A controversial $140,000 donation to the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation has not yet been returned because the charity has been unable to find anyone able to accept the payment, say sources who have spoken with Radio-Canada. Last month, the Globe and Mail reported that Zhang Bin — a businessman later identified by the newspaper as being linked to the Chinese government — pledged in 2016 to donate $200,000 to the foundation.... Shortly after that report, foundation president Pascale Fournier said the foundation had reimbursed the full amount of the donation.... Radio-Canada confirmed Wednesday that the money has not been returned. The refund cheque was issued but it has yet to be cashed.... Radio-Canada sources say that while the donation was given to the foundation by two individuals, the cheques were in the name of a corporation. The sources told Radio-Canada that the foundation has not been able to deliver the reimbursement to that corporation.

"The foundation also said that its board would launch an independent review of its acceptance of the donation. It said that the review would be conducted by an accounting firm overseen by a law firm, and that both firms would have no prior involvement with the foundation. This week, Fournier and the foundation's board of directors resigned en masse.... Sources told Radio Canada that the mass resignation stemmed from members of the board wanting the foundation to do more to verify the provenance of donations."
Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-foundation-china-donation-1.6808272

What’s going on with the Trudeau Foundation? Here’s what we know about the controversy that led to a mass resignation | Toronto Star - Alex Ballingall:

April 12, 2023 - "The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation says it is launching an 'independent review' of a $140,000 donation that had a 'potential connection to the Chinese government,' as the scholarship charity is engulfed in an ongoing political firestorm over Beijing’s alleged interference in Canadian politics. In a statement Wednesday, the Montreal-based foundation said its board of directors unanimously agreed to stage an investigation before they resigned en masse this week, with an official explanation claiming the 'political climate' had made the charity’s work impossible.

"One source with direct knowledge of the situation said an internal feud erupted in recent days after the organization’s attempt to refund the donation failed. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the failure prompted a desire for an independent investigation, but there were disagreements among board members about how that review should play out. The Trudeau Foundation did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday about the source’s concern. Several officials at the charity did not respond to interview requests, while others declined to speak when contacted by the Star....

"Though it was originally billed as a $200,000 donation, Johnson’s statement said the Trudeau Foundation received only $140,000 of the pledged money. It also said the charity issued a refund cheque under the donor’s name, but did not confirm whether the money was successfully returned.... Another source with knowledge of the situation also told the Star the charity’s attempt to refund the donation failed, after Montreal’s La Presse newspaper reported an internal foundation document — which the Star has not seen — said the money could not be returned because the name on the donation cheque didn’t match the actual source of the funds....

"The Conservatives have latched on to reports of the Trudeau Foundation donation, arguing it raises questions about whether officials with ties to the charity — which Poilievre labels as 'Beijing-funded' — should be probing alleged foreign interference for the government. That includes Morris Rosenberg, a former civil servant who was head of the foundation when the donation was made in 2016, and who penned a recent report on foreign interference in the 2021 election. It also includes former governor general David Johnston, who is a foundation member tasked with examining the issue and recommending whether a public inquiry — which opposition parties are demanding — is necessary....

"Established in 2001, a year after Pierre Trudeau’s death, the foundation received a $125-million endowment from the federal government in 2002. The idea was to support the research of more than 100 scholars every year to honour the late prime minister’s memory. But with the ascent of Justin Trudeau from Liberal MP to prime minister, the foundation came to be seen by some under a more political lens. After the Liberals took office in 2015, the government came under fire for so-called 'cash-for-access\ fundraising, in which the party sought donations at events where contributors could hobnob with cabinet ministers or even Trudeau himself. 

"Chinese businessman Zhang Bin reportedly attended such an event with the prime minister. Then, in 2016, according to a news release from the Université de Montréal, Zhang and another person identified as a fellow businessman — Niu Gensheng — donated $1 million to commemorate Pierre Trudeau’s ties with China....[U]niversity spokesperson Geneviève O’Meara confirmed the school’s faculty of law was slated to receive $750,000 of this money, with another $50,000 going toward a statue on campus of [Mau Zedong and] Pierre Trudeau, who attended and taught at the university. But the statue was never built, and the school only ever received $500,000, O’Meara said by email. Another $200,000 of the money was slated for the Trudeau Foundation....

""The 2016 donation ... grew more controversial this year, after the Globe and Mail reported it was part of a suspected campaign of foreign influence by the Chinese government. The revelation added to the ongoing political firestorm involving allegations of Beijing’s election meddling and interference in Canadian politics that has troubled the Liberal government for months. And in response, the Trudeau Foundation declared on March 1 it had refunded all money received from the 2016 pledge, after learning of a “potential connection” with the Chinese government. While the foundation now says it has issued a cheque under the donor’s name, the Université de Montréal still hasn’t decided what to do with the $500,000 it received."
Read more: https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/2023/04/12/whats-going-on-with-the-trudeau-foundation-heres-what-we-know-about-the-controversy-that-led-to-a-mass-resignation.html

Brian Lilley, "Would anyone notice if the Trudeau Foundation disappeared?", Toronto Sun, April 12, 2023:

Mass resignation at Trudeau Foundation

The president and CEO, and board of directors, of the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation have resigned en masse, blaming "politicization" that has "made it impossible to continue with the status quo." 

Trudeau Foundation president, board resign, citing 'politicization' of China-linked donation | CBC News - Richard Raycraft:

April 11, 2023 - "The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation's president and board of directors have resigned en masse, citing the charity's entanglement in the ongoing foreign interference controversy. 

"In a statement, the foundation said that a $200,000 donation in 2016 from a businessman linked to the Chinese government 'has put a great deal of pressure on the foundation's management and volunteer board of directors, as well as on our staff and our community.' The charity announced last month that it would return the donation. The Conservatives criticized the government over the matter, saying the donation compromised a government report on the integrity of the 2021 federal election.

"'The circumstances created by the politicization of the foundation have made it impossible to continue with the status quo, and the volunteer board of directors has resigned, as has the president and CEO,' the statement said.

"The foundation is independent and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has no involvement with it. 'The Trudeau Foundation is a foundation with which I have absolutely no intersection,' Trudeau told a news conference Tuesday.... The charity, established in 2001 to honour former prime minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau, funds scholarships, mentorships and fellowships.

"Last month, Prime Minister Trudeau appointed former governor general David Johnston as a special rapporteur to investigate foreign interference in Canadian elections and institutions, including alleged meddling by the Chinese government. The Conservatives have questioned Johnston's impartiality, in part by pointing to Johnston's former role as a member of the Trudeau Foundation. Foundation members are responsible for appointing the board of directors. Johnston resigned from the foundation following his appointment as special rapporteur....

"The statement said three directors will remain on an interim basis to continue the charity's work while a new board is appointed. The foundation's website currently lists six members of the board of directors. Its president and CEO, Pascale Fournier, had been in the position for almost five years.

"Reacting to news of the resignations Tuesday morning, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called for an investigation into the charity. 'We need to investigate the Beijing-funded Trudeau Foundation,' Poilievre tweeted. 'We need to know who got rich, who got paid and who got privilege and power from Justin Trudeau as a result of funding to the Trudeau Foundation.'

"Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet said the resignations make the 2016 donation look more suspicious. He called on Johnston to step down as special rapporteur and for the government to call a public inquiry into foreign interference.... NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said he won't comment on the Trudeau Foundation specifically. He repeated his calls for a public inquiry."

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-foundation-resign-1.6806482

Canada's GG continues office's profligate tradition

After receiving criticism for continuing in her predecessors' high-spending ways, Canada's Governor General Mary Simon turned off all her social media accounts.  

Entitled Governor General Mary Simon has herself confused with royalty | Western Standard - Linda Slobodian: 

March 27, 2023 - "When Mary Simon was sworn in as governor general 18 months ago, there were hopes she would show respect to struggling Canadians and exercise ... fiscal responsibility.... Former governor-general Julie Payette resigned in disgrace, leaving a tarnished legacy. Abuse to staff. Entitlement. Snobbery. Horrific wasteful spending. For Canadians, the door at Rideau Gate didn’t slam behind Payette fast enough.... Simon had to know Canadians were disgusted with Payette for wantonly blowing their money while accomplishing little more than billing $139,000 for the design of a never-built private staircase so she could avoid people. And driving staff to tears. Yet, Simon went on spending sprees gobbling up great chunks of the $35 million budgeted for her office.... 

"Payette wanted to hide from people. Simon did.... In February, Simon’s office turned off social media accounts claiming there was a rise of 'violent threats.' If so, that’s unacceptable. So, deal with the alleged threats. But you don’t get to shut out Canadians — your employers — who want to know why you spent $600 on lemon and lime garnishes for in-flight meals on one junket.... 

"The latest revelation is that taxpayers footed $90,615 for Simon to visit her home in Kangiqsualujjuaq, Que for one day last May. Infuriating, but peanuts compared to the $1.15 million spent on a 2021 Dubai military junket with an entourage of about 45 (reported numbers differ.) Or the $800,000 spent to attend the Frankfurt Book Fair in Germany earlier that year. Of course, nothing less than five-star hotels with feather quilts and pillows would do for the 32 guests on that four-day trip.

"Simon has blown an opportunity to show some class and respect for Canadians economically beaten down by COVID’s ravages and inflation and struggling to put food on the table. Did she really earn that $40,000 pay raise she got during the pandemic that hiked her salary to $324,100? Simon could have brought integrity back to her important role that Canadians increasingly resent supporting because of wasteful spending that dogs it. Payette spent $3 million on travel. The tab would have been higher had COVID-19 not, mercifully, shut her in lockdown. Former governor-general Adrienne Clarkson blew $5 million on one Arctic nations tour. Unfortunately, like them, Simon embraced the same misguided notion of entitlement. It was her turn to sidle up to the public trough, and time and again her office has gone on a feeding frenzy. Literally.

"Simon spent $93,118 on in-flight airline food on a junket to Expo 2020 in Dubai last March. Each meal — breakfast, lunch, and dinner — for the gang cost taxpayers $218 apiece ... — while you shopped for canned soup on sale. The entourage tagging along was royally coddled — while many Canadians wondered if the food in the fridge would last until pay day.... Was it necessary for Simon to be ferried in a military aircraft 3,000 kilometres back and forth between Ottawa and Halifax to put in six minutes of work at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in 2022? Why did she pass on a three-hour car ride from Ottawa to Peterborough in favour of blowing $8,300 to fly to a Royal Canadian Air Force event to make a speech?... 

"As Commander-in-Chief one of the governor general’s responsibilities is to represent the military in Canada and abroad. Simon squeezed $349.69 out of the Germany junket’s $800,000 budget to lay to lay a wreath at the Neue Wache in Berlin to commemorate 'victims of war and tyranny.' That was a tad more than the $230 spent on flower arrangements to make their $103,000 in-flight catering meals prettier. The Department of National Defence spent $272,277.53 just on the trip. But there isn’t enough money for training exercises....

"When Payette’s wasteful spending was outed, opposition MPs were outraged. When Simon’s wasteful spending was outed, opposition MPs were outraged.... Nothing changes. Governors general who squander taxpayer money enjoy an annual $150,000 pension plus another $200,000 or so every year for expenses. But while in office, these entitled dames carry on spending lavishly, foolishly — because they can."

Read more: https://www.westernstandard.news/opinion/slobodian-entitled-governor-general-mary-simon-has-herself-confused-with-royalty/article_303e5d34-cccb-11ed-830b-3fc08f608666.html

"'Use some common sense': Canadian Taxpayers Federation on GG expenses", YouTube, June 15, 2022: