The Canadian government has selected a Quebec Court of Appeal judge to lead an investigation into possible interference by foreign countries, such as Russia and China, in Canada’s democratic institutions and federal general elections held in 2019 and 2021.
Marie-Josee Hogue, puisne judge of the Quebec Court of Appeal, has been appointed as the commissioner of the public inquiry to examine and assess the suspected foreign interference activity and determine whether such efforts impacted the elections at the national and district levels. She will also evaluate the ability of federal entities to detect, deter and counter foreign interference. Based on her assessment, she will make recommendations to improve Canada’s democratic processes.
Hogue will begin her work as commissioner on Sept.18. She is expected to submit an interim report by February 29, 2024, and a final report by December 2024.
Foreign interference has been dominating headlines since The Globe and Mail reported on Feb. 17 details of a Chinese strategy during Canada’s 2021 federal election campaign to keep out a Conservative Party too critical of Beijing.